Uber driver Adam Daley, 33, has been jailed for 16 years for raping a female passenger at knifepoint in a lay-by near Leicester. Police have warned that there may be more victims who have not yet come forward.
The Attack
Daley picked up the woman, in her 20s, in Leicester city centre at around 5:30am on December 29 last year. Instead of taking her home, he pulled into a lay-by on Soar Valley Way, near Fosse Park. He produced a blade, threatened to kill her, and raped her before abandoning her and speeding off.
Swift Arrest
The victim immediately contacted Leicestershire Police, who launched an urgent manhunt. Using CCTV and ANPR camera networks, officers tracked down Daley’s Toyota Auris. He was intercepted on Vaughan Way in the city centre and arrested within an hour of the attack. As officers moved in, Daley—who had been using cocaine—tried to destroy evidence by stamping on his mobile phone.
Evidence of Further Offences
Analysis of Daley’s phone revealed indecent images of children and footage of people engaging in sexual acts with animals. He admitted to these image offences but denied the rape, forcing the victim to testify at trial.
Conviction and Sentence
A jury at Leicester Crown Court found Daley guilty of rape, sexual assault, making threats to kill, and possessing a knife in public without lawful reason. On Friday, July 10, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order to protect the victim. In a separate prosecution at Leicester Magistrates’ Court in April, Daley admitted drug driving and was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £200, and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Police Appeal
Detective Constable Matt Smith praised the victim’s bravery: “I want to commend the victim in this case during what has been an extremely difficult six months. Her actions that night and the strength and bravery she has shown during the investigation and trial has ensured a dangerous individual is now behind bars.” He added: “Given his job as an Uber driver it is possible there could be more victims that have not come forward. We take reports of sexual assault very seriously and anyone who wishes to report offences will be spoken to by specialist officers.”
