Taxi Driver Malik Masood Charged with Sexual Assault
Taxi driver Malik Masood, 36, faces serious charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman last August. The Middlesbrough man appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week, charged with a single count of sexual assault dating back to August 25, 2023.
Short Court Hearing as Masood Keeps Quiet
During the brief hearing, Masood refused to enter a plea, only confirming his personal details. Prosecutor Leeanne Pearce told the court, “The Crown would say that this is suitable for summary trial.” The defence agreed the case could be dealt with at magistrates’ court level.
Masood Demands Crown Court Trial, Gets Strict Bail
Despite this, Masood opted to have his trial at Newcastle Crown Court. He was granted conditional bail with tough restrictions: no contact with witnesses, a ban on entering a specific North Tyneside street, and no being alone in a vehicle with a woman. He must return to court on February 17 for the next hearing.
