Uber driver who held a passenger at knifepoint and raped her is jailed for 16 years - as police warn he could have more victims

Published: 19:54, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 19:57, 13 July 2026 An Uber driver who held a passenger at knifepoint and raped her has been jailed for 16 years. Adam Daley, 33, picked up two women from outside a bar in Leicester city centre after a night out. After dropping one of the victims off, he ordered the other into the front seat and forced her to perform oral sex on him. He left her in a layby, where she immediately called 999 - prompting police to arrest him just an hour later while he was still driving.  On Friday, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of one count of rape, one count of sexual assault, one count of possession of a bladed article and one count of threats to kill. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of a child – evidence found by officers when his mobile phone was examined.  Leicestershire Police has warned that the Uber driver could have had more victims - and has urged anyone to come forward.  Adam Daley, 33, raped a passenger at knifepoint after picking her up from a night out Daley was arrested while still driving the Uber which he had picked up his victim in just hours earlier The victim, a woman in her 20s, had been out with her friend on December 29 last year. They had been about to order an Uber when Daley pulled up alongside them and offered to take them home if they booked through the app. He dropped her friend home and continued onto the victim's address. During the drive, Daley started making sexualised comments towards the victim and asking her inappropriate questions. Shortly after leaving the city, Daley pulled over in a layby, claiming he needed to go to the toilet. However, he then ordered the victim to move into the front seat before forcing her to perform oral sex on him by threatening her with a knife. He also pulled down her top and touched her breasts.  After pleading with him to stop, he left the woman in the layby and sped off.  The victim immediately called 999 and Daley was arrested an hour later, with police able to track his movements using CCTV and ANPR cameras. At Leicester Crown Court, Daley was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) until further notice and a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim. Because of the victim's quick report, officers were able to act fast to apprehend Daley while he was still driving his car. Bodycam footage showed the moment Daley was arrested. He was handcuffed in the driver's seat as officers told him to 'get out of the car'. Daley complained that his seatbelt was on and officers told him it was behind him, he then appeared to make a movement towards the officers. He then refused to give a sample of saliva to police.  While officers were attempting to arrest Daley, he attempted to grab his phone and tried to stamp on it, in a bid to destroy any evidence. Detectives reviewed CCTV and his phone data to track his movements both before and after the attack.    While officers were attempting to arrest Daley, he attempted to grab his phone and also to stamp on it - in a bid to destroy any evidence. While in custody, detectives began carrying out extensive enquiries, including forensic examinations and reviewing CCTV and mobile phone data in order to track the defendant's movements both before and after the attack. Despite the victim's DNA being found on his penis and underwear, Daley continued to deny the offence. He claimed her DNA had transferred to him as she had drunk from a water bottle in the car, and he had later used the same bottle to wash his penis after urinating in the layby. Detectives discovered that Daley had driven past the victim while she was in the layby three times after the incident had taken place. The driver refused to give a sample of saliva to police and tried to grab and stamp on his phone to destroy evidence Daley pulled up alongside the women to offer them a lift home if they booked through the app Detective Constable Matt Smith said: 'I want to commend the victim in this case during what has been an extremely difficult six months.  'Her actions that night and the strength and bravery she has shown during the investigation and trial has ensured a dangerous individual is now behind bars. 'Despite her deeply traumatic and distressing experience, that night she demonstrated exceptional presence of mind and was able to contact police immediately after Daley had driven off. 'Thanks to this, officers were able to act quickly to identify and locate the suspect in a very short space of time.  'This was crucial to our investigation and ensured not only key forensic evidence could still be detected but that he was apprehended before he attacked anyone else. 'Daley targeted a lone woman after she trusted him to get her home safely. Given his job as an Uber driver it is possible there could be more victims that have not come forward. 'We take reports of sexual assault very seriously and anyone who wishes to report offences will be spoken to by specialist officers in the team.' At the time of his arrest, Daley also refused to provide a drugs wipe, so a blood sample was sent for testing and later came back as positive for cocaine. He was charged and pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 1.  He was banned from driving for 20 months, fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge. Senior Investigation Officer, Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, said: 'The courage of the victim and the professionalism and dedication of the response and investigation officers has led to this outcome. 'My thanks go to the victim whose bravery and co-operation led to this quick arrest and allowed vital evidence to be secured.  'If you are a victim of a sexual offence, please know that we are here to listen to you, to help you and to support you. Please report to us or speak with someone you can trust.'