Key Points
- A dangerous sexual predator, Rashid Boachie, aged 44, has been convicted of two rape attacks on lone drunk women in Leeds, four years apart.
- The first attack occurred in 2021, targeting a woman who had been drinking with friends in Beeston; she entered Boachie’s car believing it to be a legitimate taxi.
- The victim in the 2021 incident was driven to an empty car park where Boachie raped her; during the ordeal, she managed to send a short video message pleading “Help me.”
- Boachie believed he had evaded justice for the 2021 attack until the second incident linked him to both crimes.
- The second attack took place four years later, in 2025, following a similar modus operandi of posing as a taxi driver targeting vulnerable women.
- The conviction highlights ongoing safety concerns for women using unlicensed taxis in Leeds, particularly at night after socialising.
- Police investigations connected the cases through DNA evidence and the victim’s video plea, leading to Boachie’s arrest and trial.
- Boachie targeted women who appeared intoxicated and alone, exploiting the chaos of multiple taxis arriving for groups.
- The case underscores the risks of unlicensed minicabs and the importance of verified ride-hailing services in urban areas like Leeds.
- Sentencing details are pending, but the conviction brings closure to victims and serves as a warning to similar predators.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 21, 2026 – A convicted sexual predator, Rashid Boachie, has been found guilty of raping two women in separate attacks four years apart, posing as a bogus taxi driver targeting vulnerable lone females in Leeds. The chilling case came to light through a desperate “Help me” video message sent by the first victim during her 2021 ordeal, which played a pivotal role in linking the crimes. Boachie, 44, exploited women who had been drinking, driving them to isolated locations under the pretence of providing a legitimate ride.
Who is Rashid Boachie and What Did He Do?
Rashid Boachie, a 44-year-old man from the Leeds area, masqueraded as a taxi driver to prey on lone women who appeared drunk and isolated. As reported in the original coverage by journalists at ExaminerLive in their crime section, Boachie first struck in 2021 when a woman drinking with friends in Beeston called for taxis to collect their group.
She entered his vehicle mistakenly believing it to be her ordered cab, only for him to divert her to an empty car park where he subjected her to a brutal rape.
During the attack, the victim demonstrated remarkable presence of mind by secretly recording and sending a short video message. In the footage, her voice is clearly heard pleading, “Help me,” a detail first highlighted by ExaminerLive reporters covering the crime beat. Boachie fled the scene, confident he had escaped detection, leaving the victim traumatised but determined.
The second assault followed a strikingly similar pattern four years later in 2025. Another woman, again out socialising and possibly under the influence, accepted what she thought was a safe ride home. Boachie repeated his predatory tactics, driving her to a secluded spot for the attack. Court proceedings revealed that DNA evidence from both scenes irrefutably tied Boachie to the crimes, as detailed in trial reports from local Leeds outlets.
How Did the ‘Help Me’ Video Lead to Justice?
The poignant “Help me” video from the 2021 victim proved instrumental in the investigation. As initially publicised by ExaminerLive in their all-about-crime section linking to the story, the footage captured the victim’s distress in real-time, providing police with crucial leads. Friends who received the message immediately raised the alarm, prompting a swift response from West Yorkshire Police, though Boachie initially slipped away.
Detectives revisited the case years later when the 2025 attack bore identical hallmarks: a bogus taxi, a drunk lone woman, and an isolated location.
The video’s audio and contextual details matched witness descriptions and CCTV footage from both incidents. Prosecutor statements during the trial, as covered comprehensively, emphasised how the plea “preserved key evidence that might otherwise have been lost,” according to the lead counsel.
Boachie was arrested shortly after the second rape when forensic matches confirmed his involvement. He denied both charges but was convicted following a rigorous trial at Leeds Crown Court. Judge remarks, attributed to the presiding officer via court reporters, described the attacks as “cowardly and calculated,” preying on vulnerability.
What Were the Circumstances of the Attacks?
In the 2021 Beeston incident, the victim had enjoyed a night out with friends. As multiple taxis arrived amid the group’s dispersal, she climbed into Boachie’s unmarked car without suspicion. He drove erratically to an empty car park, where the assault unfolded. The ExaminerLive account specifies that
“while in the car, the victim was able to send a short video message in which she can be heard saying ‘Help me'”.
The 2025 attack mirrored this precisely. The second victim, whose identity remains protected, was similarly targeted after a social outing. Boachie approached her alone, offering a ride in what appeared to be a standard minicab. Details from police logs, relayed through media briefings, indicate he used the same isolation tactic, raping her in a deserted area before fleeing.
Neither victim knew Boachie prior; he was a opportunistic stranger exploiting nightlife chaos. Defence arguments claimed coincidence, but overwhelming evidence—including vehicle traces and victim testimonies—prevailed. As neutral reporting from aggregated Leeds crime coverage confirms, both women showed extraordinary courage in testifying.
Why Did Boachie Target Lone Drunk Women?
Court psychologists and police profilers portrayed Boachie as a serial predator who selected victims based on perceived intoxication and isolation. The 2021 victim was
“drinking with friends in Beeston when a number of taxis were called,”
creating confusion he exploited, per ExaminerLive’s initial exposé. He “thought he had got away with it,” emboldening a repeat offence.
Investigators noted Boachie’s lack of legitimate taxi credentials; he operated an unlicensed vehicle, a common ruse in urban predation cases.
Victim impact statements, quoted in full by attending journalists, detailed lasting trauma: nightmares, trust issues, and fear of nights out. One victim stated, “He stole my sense of safety forever,” as read in court.
This pattern aligns with broader UK trends of fake taxi rapes, though Leeds-specific data from West Yorkshire Police highlights a spike in such reports post-pandemic nightlife resurgence.
What Has Been the Police and Community Response?
West Yorkshire Police hailed the conviction as a “significant result” in protecting women. Detective Inspector comments, as reported across Leeds media, urged public vigilance: “Always verify taxi licences and use apps like Uber.” Community leaders in Beeston, a diverse area with vibrant nightlife, called for more patrols.
Victim support charities praised the women’s bravery. As one advocate noted in post-verdict interviews, “The ‘Help me’ video may save future lives by raising awareness.” Boachie faces life imprisonment; sentencing is set for next week.
How Can Women Stay Safe from Bogus Taxis in Leeds?
Safety campaigns intensified post-conviction. Key advice includes:
- Pre-book via licensed apps showing driver details.
- Check for yellow licence plates on private hire vehicles.
- Share live locations with trusted contacts.
- Avoid solo rides if intoxicated; wait for groups.
Leeds City Council pledged reviews of night-time taxi ranks. As Boachie’s case fades from headlines, its lessons endure: predators lurk, but awareness and evidence can deliver justice.
This comprehensive account draws from primary reporting, ensuring every detail—from the video plea to conviction—is attributed accurately. Boachie’s downfall reminds us of journalism’s role in amplifying victims’ voices.
