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Uber driver claims woman initiated sexual encounter in car during trial
๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Switzerland /Crime & Justice

Uber driver claims woman initiated sexual encounter in car during trial

From Neue Zรผrcher Zeitung · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A 54-year-old Uber driver in Switzerland faces charges of sexually assaulting a drunk, sleeping woman in his car.
  • The driver claims the woman initiated sexual contact after arriving at her destination, stating she pulled him onto the back seat and pleasured herself.
  • The woman, who was intoxicated, testified that she awoke to the driver performing oral sex and that her smartwatch data, showing pulse fluctuations, was a key piece of evidence in the initial conviction.

A 54-year-old married taxi driver, who also works for Uber, is on trial in Switzerland for allegedly sexually assaulting a drunk, sleeping woman in his car. The incident reportedly occurred in December 2023, and the man was initially sentenced to an 18-month conditional prison term and a five-year ban from the country.

She then pleasured herself, hitting her head on the car roof multiple times.

โ€” Accused Uber driverThe driver claims the woman initiated sexual contact and pleasured herself during the encounter.

The prosecution alleges that the driver sexually abused the passenger after she fell asleep in his vehicle following a Christmas party. The woman testified that she awoke to find the driver performing oral sex on her. She described feeling his stubble and seeing his grin, noting that her bra and trousers were open. She stated she fled the car in panic. Her smartwatch, which recorded her pulse rate during the incident, was a significant piece of evidence in the initial conviction.

However, the accused driver presents a different version of events. He does not deny sexual contact but claims the woman was not asleep upon arrival at her destination. He alleges that she initiated the encounter, giving him an "air kiss" and aggressively pulling him onto the back seat. He claims she then pleasured herself, hitting her head on the car roof multiple times. The driver stated he did not participate voluntarily and feared repercussions, as he was not supposed to engage in such activities as a taxi driver.

Suddenly, I felt a tongue in my throat.

โ€” VictimThe woman described waking up to the driver's actions during her testimony.

According to Uber data, the car arrived at the destination at 3:05 AM, and the driver accepted a new fare at 4:05 AM, suggesting the alleged sexual acts lasted nearly an hour. The driver had previously testified that the woman left the car angrily because he refused to have intercourse, claiming he was lured into a trap. The higher court decided not to re-examine the woman, unlike the lower court, which had questioned her directly.

I saw his grin.

โ€” VictimThe woman recounted her experience upon waking during the alleged assault.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Neue Zรผrcher Zeitung in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.