A TAXI driver who raped a 16-year-old girl he had picked up has been jailed for nine years.

Shaun Meenan attacked the teenage stranger both in his private hire motor and then in her home after he got in by claiming he needed the toilet.

The 60-year-old was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Meenan - a first offender - had earlier been convicted of raping the girl in Dumbarton on April 7, 2023.

The predator had insisted any sexual activity with the vulnerable girl was consensual.

Lord Colbeck told Meenan, of Dumbarton, that he had "taken advantage" of the girl in "the most appalling fashion".

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The judge stated: "You have no comprehension whatsoever of the devastating effect that this has had on the victim."

Meenan was also put on the sex offenders list indefinitely. He was further banned from approaching or contacting the girl.

The court was today told the rapist continues to protest his innocence and that the young stranger agreed to have sex with him.

Sean Templeton, defending, said: "He accepts that his actions were misjudged.

"He has said that he regrets the whole evening. He wants to say sorry to the court and to the victim for what happened.

"It was a grave error in terms of his judgement of things."