Cabbie rapist 'has signs of Don Juanism'

A Sydney cabbie who raped three female passengers showed signs of "Don Juanism", the equivalent of nymphomania in women, a judge has been told.

Clive Steirn SC, for Hassan Nagi, also said the rapes had been "opportunistic", involving two women who were heavily intoxicated while the third was a sex worker.

But Brad Hughes, for the crown, said that rather than acting in an opportunistic way, Nagi "preyed" on the drunk women and "tricked" the third victim, whose occupation was irrelevant.

The barristers were making submissions at the sentencing hearing of Nagi, 37, of Bexley, in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday.

The family man has pleaded guilty to vaginal and anal attacks on each of the women, aged 31, 23 and 27, in 2003, 2006 and 2007.

Two victims were heavily intoxicated, one having earlier vomited, and were on their way home when attacked.

Nagi's sister-in-law Fatima Kazan told the hearing he was an "honest, caring person who would not harm a soul", adding he was "very, very sorry" for his offences.

"This was out of his character, this is not him," she said.

Mr Steirn submitted the offences were "at the lower end" of the scale of seriousness and cited a psychiatric report.

It said that since Nagi was 20 he had had "frequent multiple sexual contacts" in brothels, restaurants and other locations.

"The pattern of frequent sexual contact in an environment in which there is no commitment is characteristic of Don Juanism," Mr Steirn quoted.

He submitted that the "underlying psychiatric problem" and the fact that no gratuitous violence was used should be taken into account when sentencing.

In relation to the latter point, Judge James Bennett observed: "He does not get rewarded for not belting them".

Mr Steirn said Nagi had "taken advantage" of the extreme intoxication of two victims and of the fact the third woman was a sex worker, who had agreed to meet another man.

But Mr Hughes said the fact two women were drunk made the offences more serious.

"He is preying on passengers who probably have no other way of getting home," he said.

"They are at the mercy of the taxi driver. This taxi driver has abused his position in the most serious way."

Nagi also abused the third victim in what amounted to tricking her into getting her into his cab, Mr Hughes said.

While Mr Steirn submitted Nagi was of previous good character, Mr Hughes said the three attacks occurred over a four-year period.

"He is going on in his merry way," he said.

Judge Bennett revoked Nagi's bail and adjourned sentencing to June 3.