A rickshaw driver from Plaistow has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a young clubber after offering her a free ride home.

A rickshaw driver from Plaistow has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a young clubber after offering her a free ride home.

Mohammed Hossain, of Anne Street, was working as a rickshaw driver in central London when the assault happened in the early hours of March 7.

A jury at Blackfriars Crown Court found Hossain, 35, guilty of sexual assault on Friday. He has been bailed for sentencing on October 20.

Hossain lured his 21-year-old victim – separated from her friends and upset after an argument – into his carriage before offering her a ride home on the night of the assault.

He stopped his rickshaw en route and went into a shop to buy vodka, Red Bull and a polystyrene cup, jurors heard.

Prosecutor James Benson said Hossain offered the woman a sip of the mixture, which she accepted, before putting his arm around her.

Mr Benson said: “When he first tried to put his arm around her she told him no, but the prosecution say the defendant persisted and touched her on the knee.

“She felt in reasonable control at that stage, so she told him she wanted to go home. The defendant then leaned in for a kiss.

“She pulled back and said the words “no, I have a boyfriend”. He tried to put his arm around her shoulder again and she pulled back again.

“The defendant took his hand, put it on her knee and then moved his hand up the inside of her thighs towards her underwear and only stopped a very short distance from touching her between her legs.”

Patrolling police officers saw the woman stumbling out of the rickshaw and arrested Hossain after chasing him down the street.

Hossain admitted the woman was in his rickshaw but made no comment in police interview.