In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Dawitt Tessema, then 46, of Carntyne, Glasgow, was sentenced to two years in prison at Glasgow Sheriff Court. Following a trial, a jury found Tessema guilty of the sexual assault of a 19-year-old passenger.
The investigation established that on 15 September 2023, Tessema, an Uber driver, picked up the victim from the Buff Club in Glasgow city centre at 2:40 am. The victim was described as “very drunk.” Tessema drove to a street in the Woodlands area, where he first attempted to reach her through the centre console before entering the rear of the vehicle. There, he sexually assaulted the teenager by touching her intimately.
Breach of Trust and Admissions
The court reported that the victim woke up the next day feeling “embarrassed” and alerted her flatmate. Before the matter was reported to the police, Tessema sent the victim a text message stating, “I’m really sorry, please forgive me, please, please.” Upon his arrest, the “predatory” driver told officers, “I have to stop, I made a big mistake.”
Sheriff John McCormick emphasised that Tessema had committed a “gross breach of trust.” The Sheriff noted that Tessema had accepted the responsibility of a passenger’s safety but instead took advantage of a vulnerable young woman in the “confines” of his taxi.
Sentence and Registration Requirements
For his crimes in Glasgow, Dawitt Tessema was:
- Sentenced to two years in immediate custody.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Despite being a first offender, the Sheriff ruled that the “depraved” breach of trust warranted a prison term. Tessema will be subject to strict monitoring upon his release from custody.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Tessema is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His previous role as a licensed driver and his status as a sex offender remain under “critical” scrutiny.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register until 2036, Tessema must comply with notification requirements regarding his address and employment. Police Scotland states that they work closely with licensing authorities to ensure the safety of the public. Any breach of his registration conditions or the terms of his licence will result in his immediate return to Glasgow Sheriff Court.
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