Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 12th April 2025 at 08:20hrs
A jury at Leeds Crown Court has today found Daniel Hayelom, a 36-year-old off-duty private hire driver from Clyde Approach, Armley, guilty of rape.
The conviction follows an incident on Sunday, October 22, 2023, where Hayelom targeted a woman in her forties as she walked home from a party in Beeston.
The court heard how Hayelom was driving along Dewsbury Road shortly after 6:00 AM when he spotted the victim walking.
CCTV footage presented during the trial showed Hayelom driving past her, observing her from his vehicle before parking on Dewsbury Road and approaching her on foot.
Hayelom engaged the woman in conversation before walking her into an alleyway adjacent to the Poundland store on Tunstall Road, where he proceeded to rape her.
He then walked off with the victim for a short distance before leaving her and returning to his taxi.
The victim continued her journey home and later disclosed the horrific incident to others, who then contacted West Yorkshire Police.
Detectives from the West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team immediately launched a thorough investigation, meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from the area to trace the victim’s movements and identify the perpetrator.
The crucial footage captured Hayelom following the victim in his private hire vehicle before approaching her on foot.
The vehicle’s registration was successfully identified, leading to Hayelom’s arrest later the same day. Subsequent forensic analysis confirmed his involvement in the crime through DNA evidence recovered from the victim.
Hayelom was charged with rape and appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on October 26, 2023.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that the victim, who had been drinking at the party, was too intoxicated to provide consent for any sexual activity.
Following the trial, the jury delivered a unanimous guilty verdict. Hayelom is now scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, May 2nd.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, the Senior Investigating Officer, condemned Hayelom’s actions, stating:
“Hayelom targeted the victim as someone he saw as being vulnerable at the time. He could have helped her to get home safely but instead he chose to prey on her for his own gratification.”
He further commended the victim for her bravery throughout the ordeal: “His actions have had a significant traumatic impact on the victim, and we commend her for the courage and mental fortitude she has shown during the investigation and the court process that has resulted in his conviction.
We hope she can find some degree of comfort in seeing him held criminally accountable for what he did to her.”
DCI Entwistle also reiterated the police’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls:
“Women and girls should be safe to live their lives free from the fear of violence and harassment, and we remain fully committed to working alongside our partner agencies to make the county a safer place.
Taking dangerous offenders like Hayelom off the streets will always remain a key part of our work to keep women and girls safe.
Our professional and sensitive handling of this investigation should help to demonstrate to others how seriously we will always treat offences of this nature.”
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