HIV-infected taxi driver gets 9 years for rape of three women

A Sydney taxi driver who raped three female passengers has been sentenced to at least nine years, five months and three days in jail.

Hassan Nagi, 39, of Bexley, pleaded guilty to six charges of sexual intercourse without consent over the attacks on the women aged 31, 23 and 27 in 2003, 2006 and 2007. Two victims were heavily intoxicated and were trying to get home when they were raped.

In the New South Wales District Court yesterday, Judge James Bennett said Nagi had demonstrated a disrespect for females.

"The offender embarked upon what one might see to be predatory behaviour in pursuit of sexual gratification at the expense of and in disregard of his victims," Bennett said.

Last year, the judge ruled that a non-publication order on the fact Nagi has HIV should be lifted, a decision the cab driver challenged in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.

The appeal court dismissed the challenge but gave Nagi the opportunity to seek special leave to appeal to the High Court, which refused to hear his application.

The process delayed sentencing for more than a year.

The judge set a maximum sentence of 13 years, 10 months and 24 days.

- AAP