Li Wenchen on court. [File photo]

A taxi driver in an east China city jailed for rape after letting a passenger assault a 15-year-old girl in his car has been linked to three more sex attacks, police said yesterday.

Li Wenkai gained notoriety for ignoring the girl's screams for help and continuing driving while she was being raped in his car in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, in December 2009.

He even took a detour to give the rapist more time, news portal zjol.com.cn reported yesterday.

The teenager and her attacker were strangers sharing the taxi.

When details emerged there was public outrage at the cabbie's callous behavior. One resident offered a 20,000 yuan (US$3,127) reward for information leading to his arrest.

Li was charged with rape, for while he did not assault the girl he was considered an accomplice.

He was sentenced to two years behind bars by the Lucheng District People's Court in May.

Now DNA checks have linked Li to three rapes committed in 2008 and 2009.

Police say his DNA was found at the scene of an attack where a taxi driver stopped in a suburban area, locked the doors and raped a female passenger in July 2008.

He is also linked to two similar attacks in 2008 and 2009.

In questioning with police over the attack on the 15-year-old, Li claimed that he was threatened and had been too afraid to do anything to help the teenager.

An officer investigating the case told the news portal that in interviews Li appeared the most cooperative and remorseful suspect he had ever dealt with.

He said every time he was interrogated, Li told police he was sorry for what had happened to the girl.

The three other rape cases Li has been linked to are still under investigation.

The report said Li is likely to stand trial for the attacks.

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