A man who falsely posed as a taxi driver has been convicted by a Scottish court. He was found to have deliberately misled and stopped a young woman on a routine journey home, then subjected her to serious and disturbing behaviour in his car.

The case, heard at Falkirk Sheriff Court, highlighted the dangers of illegal transport and the vulnerability of people travelling alone at night. The jury found that 32-year-old Mahmoud Kalawizada had abused a position of trust and circumstance by putting a 22-year-old woman in fear and harm following a night-time accident in Stirling.

A late-night decision that turned into a nightmare

In the early morning, shortly after 1:00 a.m., the woman attempted to return home after a night out in Stirling city center. Like many others in the area, she sought transportation at the official taxi rank located near a popular nightclub.

Kalavisada’s dark blue BMW was parked at a loading bay next to the parking lot, giving the impression it was a real taxi. According to evidence gathered in court, the woman approached the vehicle, thinking she was in an official queue, and asked if there was a seat available.

Although Kalawizada didn’t have a taxi license and wasn’t legally authorized to provide transportation services, he indicated he could take her home. Satisfied with the vehicle’s location and his responsiveness, she gave her address and got in.

She was sitting in the front passenger seat, which she later explained was because the back door was apparently locked, further confirming her suspicion that the car was being used as a taxi.

A trip that took a disturbing turn.
A woman shows her destination in a taxi… | Stock Footage | Pond5

Instead of heading directly to his intended destination, Kalawizada deviated from his planned route. What was supposed to be a straightforward journey took him through the Clackmannanshire countryside, with numerous unexpected stops along the way.

The woman later testified in court that she began to feel increasingly anxious as the car pulled away from her home. Once, it stopped at a fast food restaurant, and a second time, the driver stopped to speak to her in a way that caused her significant discomfort and anxiety.

Finally, the car pulled onto a quiet residential street in Tillicoultry, an area unfamiliar to the passenger. At that moment, her fear intensified.

“I was scared,” she told jurors. “I knew this wasn’t where I lived, and I didn’t understand why we were here.”

When the car stopped, she heard a click that she thought meant the doors were locked. She tried to get out of the car but couldn’t open them at first.

Fear, resistance and escape

Evidence presented in court described how Kalawizada attempted to approach the woman in the confined space of the car and touch her without her consent, causing her extreme distress.

In a moment of desperation, she screamed loudly, trying to attract the attention of the neighboring residents. She believed this reaction must have frightened him.

“I screamed as loud as I could,” she testified in court. “I was trying to make someone hear me.”

Her actions proved crucial. She managed to open the door and escape from the car, after which Kalawizada disappeared from the scene.

Shocked and in tears, the woman immediately contacted her boyfriend, who came to pick her up. She later described how difficult it was for her to come to terms with what had happened, noting that the experience left her deeply saddened.

Police investigation and supporting evidence:
A fake taxi driver kidnapped a terrified 22-year-old Scottstown club resident and then sexually assaulted her in a locked car.

Police were notified shortly thereafter and an investigation was launched. Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the area, including Elliston Drive, where the incident occurred.

While the cameras didn’t capture visual evidence of the incident itself, audio from nearby equipment captured a high-pitched scream, followed by sounds of distress, around 1:56 a.m. Prosecutors told the court that the audio recording largely corroborated the woman’s testimony.

The recording was played during the court hearing and was considered extremely disturbing.

Sterling’s council also confirmed during the case that Kalawizada was not and never had been a licensed taxi driver.

Accused’s account
Mamhoud Kalawizada, a Syrian furniture upholsterer, looks into the camera outside Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Kalavizada, who lived in Stirling at the time and now lives in north London, denied all allegations. Giving evidence through an interpreter, he claimed he was in Stirling after lunch with friends when a woman approached him and offered him a lift.

He testified in court that he agreed to help because he “felt sorry for her” and assured her there was no inappropriate behavior. He denied restraining her, denied making any advances, and posed as a taxi driver.

Despite his testimony, the jury rejected his version of events.

Conviction and immediate arrest.
After a three-day trial, the jury needed less than 90 minutes to unanimously convict the defendant on all charges. These included misleading a woman by implying he was a taxi driver, unlawfully detaining her by deviating from her stated destination, and driving a rental vehicle without proper licensing and insurance.

Following the verdict, Sheriff Craig Harris ordered Calavizade held in custody pending sentencing.

Explaining the decision to revoke bail, the sheriff called the conduct “predatory behavior toward a young woman” and emphasized a serious threat to public safety.

“This conviction was the result of deliberate misrepresentation,” the sheriff said. “It demonstrates the danger to the public, especially women using public transport late at night.”

Sheriff Harris added that the higher courts have consistently and clearly made it clear that offences involving defrauding and exploiting people seeking safe transportation will be treated with the utmost seriousness.

“There is a significant risk that the accused will commit further offences if released on bail,” he concluded.

Pre-Conditions and Mitigating Circumstances:
Defence lawyer John Brannigan told the court that Calawizada had no previous convictions and worked part-time as an upholsterer. Although he currently lives in London, he maintained family ties in Stirling.

Companies House records also show he is listed as the sole director of a recently incorporated car maintenance company based in London.

Despite these arguments, the court found that at this stage the gravity of the offence and the obvious breach of trust outweighed the mitigating circumstances.

A matter of wider significance,
the case has sparked renewed debate on the importance of licensed transportation, especially in areas with a vibrant nightlife. Authorities reiterated their recommendations, urging the public to use licensed taxis and reputable transportation services, especially at night.

For the victim, the trial was a difficult but necessary step toward accountability. Her testimony, supported by audio evidence and the investigation, proved crucial in securing a conviction.

Kalawizada looked serious as he was led from the courtroom to the pretrial detention center, concluding the hearing. A verdict is expected after the court records are completed.