Uber driver sentenced to death for rape and murder of British embassy worker

Lebanon, UK — The Mount Lebanon criminal court sentenced Uber driver Tarek Houshieh to death for raping and murdering a British embassy worker.

According to reports, the incident happened two years ago. Authorities arrested the driver two days after finding the body of the 30-year-old victim, Rebecca Dykes, next to a highway.

Furthermore, the victim allegedly spent the night at a friend’s party in the Gemmayze District of Beirut. Mr. Houshieh then picked her up despite having a criminal record and after twice being arrested for alleged harassment and theft.

The driver disposed Ms. Dyke’s personal identification along with her body. Investigators believe the driver strangled the victim with a rope and sexually assaulted her.

Moreover, Mr. Houshieh’s death sentence is likely to be commuted to life imprisonment. Following the sentencing, Ms. Dyke’s mother, Jane Houng, said she awaited the day Houshieh sought forgiveness.

“No mother should have to suffer so,” Ms. Houng said.

Meanwhile, reports show that Ms. Dyke worked as a program and policy manager with the Department for International Development at Britain’s embassy in Lebanon. Additionally, she also had a degree from the University of Manchester and a master’s in international security and global governance from Birkbeck, University of London.

After her untimely death, Ms. Dyke’s family set up a foundation to prevent violence against women and to help refugees.

“Becky dedicated her career to humanitarian causes and worked tirelessly to make the world a kinder, fairer, safer and more stable place,” the family said in a statement. “We want to ensure that this work continues in her name.”