A former translator for the British Army who raped a teenager in his taxi after arriving in the UK from Afghanistan has been jailed for seven years.Abdul Nabizada, 36, who began working as a taxi driver after arriving in Britain, picked up the 19-year-old woman on her way back from a night out in Edinburgh in November 2021.But instead of taking her home, he grabbed her phone, drove her to a secluded area of Joppa, near Edinburgh, and launched his attack.Nabizada, who told his trial he came to the UK in 2016, was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today after being found guilty at a trial last month.The court previously heard Nabizada detained the victim against her will, touched her, and a struggle ensued before he raped her.The victim managed to escape from the vehicle and contacted friends, who found her distressed and frightened a short time later.She had got into Nabizada's taxi believing it was the vehicle she had booked, it was heard. CCTV footage from Queens Bay Crescent showed Nabizada, who had translated for the British, American and Danish militaries, repeatedly returning to the area after the attack. Abdul Nabizada, 36, who began working as a taxi driver after arriving in Britain, attacked his 19-year-old victim in November 2021 Nabizada has now been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted at trial last monthInvestigating officers found his DNA on the victim's clothing.Sentencing, Judge John Morris KC called it a 'crime of opportunism'.He said: 'The jury has unanimously convicted you of committing a serious sexual assault on a vulnerable woman.'The offence is an extremely serious one.'He told Nabizada that his crime has had a 'long-lasting impact' on the victim, which she described in a victim impact statement.'[She] was particularly vulnerable because she was intoxicated and that should have been obvious to you,' Judge Morris continued.'The [assault] occurred when you were responsible for transporting her home.'Nabizada continued to deny his guilt, and defence lawyer David Taylor told the court how he came to Scotland after working for western militaries – primarily as an interpreter – in his homeland of Afghanistan.The court was told he currently has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and had applied for British citizenship.Mr Taylor said Nabizada is now concerned about the possibility of deportation in light of his conviction.Judge Morris said he had taken into account the number of positive references submitted on behalf of Nabizada ahead of sentencing.He also considered the fact that Nabizada had no prior convictions, and that he was a 'family man' with four children.Judge Morris sentenced Nabizada to seven years in prison and he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.A non-harassment order was granted and he was ordered not to contact or approach the victim.Nabizada attended the sentencing in a black suit, accompanied by a translator.Faye Cook, Procurator Fiscal for High Court sexual offences, said the conviction is the result of the victim's courage in coming forward and the determined work of police officers.'Officers had to piece together evidence from a range of sources to identify the offender and build the case that was presented in court,' she said.'The victim should have been able to trust that her journey home would be safe. Instead, she was seriously sexually assaulted by a taxi driver who took advantage of her vulnerability and abused his position resulting in a deeply traumatic experience.'Ms Cook added: 'While stranger offending is rare, Scotland's prosecutors treat every report of sexual abuse with the utmost seriousness, recognising the profound and lasting impact these crimes have on victims and communities.'I hope this conviction provides reassurance that reports will be thoroughly investigated and that COPFS will work with policing partners to ensure offenders are held accountable.'Detective Inspector Kirsty McArthur said: 'This was a shocking attack on a woman in the city, and Nabizada will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.'We remain committed to tackling sexual crimes and bringing those responsible to justice. I'd encourage anyone who has been a victim of such crimes to come forward and report it to us.'We'll thoroughly investigate and have specially trained officers and partner agencies to support you throughout to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.'