The Asian Age

‘ Cabbie raped woman over short skirt’

■ Main suspect Tarek Hawchieh admits to killing UK woman

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Beirutm, Dec. 28: 30- yearold Rebecca Dykes was working at the British Embassy in the Lebanese capital, pursuing her passion for travel and engaging in humanitari­an work, oblivious to the brutal death she was soon to be faced with.

The prime suspect in the case, Tarek Hawchieh — an Uber driver — told police that he raped and strangled Dykes to death because “she was wearing a short skirt”.

Dykes stepped into her Uber after a night out with her friends, soon to be left at the mercy of her driver, Hawchieh.

“He said he found her pretty, wearing a short skirt… and so he decided to rape her as it would be easy as she was a foreigner,” a Lebanese police officer told Daily Mail.

He dumped Dykes’ body at the side of the road.

Upon finding her body, police used informatio­n Hwachieh’s him.

Dykes’ family thanked authoritie­s for the spontaneou­s and thorough actions taken, saying that the car tracking from locate to “they are grateful that the investigat­ion is moving at pace.”

“She always wanted to make the world a better place - her humanitari­an work in Beirut was testament to that,” Dykes’ family said.

According to reports, Hawchieh who had a criminal record and had served time in jail, showcased untowardly images and videos of ‘ taking part in a sex act with a fish,’ posing with a Kalashniko­v and pouring himself vodka, on his Facebook profile.

Dyke’s brutal murder has raised concerns over Uber’s hiring policy yet again.

 ??  ?? Rebecca Dykes ( left) and Tarek Hawchieh
Rebecca Dykes ( left) and Tarek Hawchieh
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