Court hears testimony of teenager who was allegedly raped by her Uber driver and is now living in fear.

A young woman recently shared her harrowing experience of being sexually assaulted while riding in a Uber. She recounted the terrifying moments in court, expressing her trauma and fear. The accused, 44-year-old Mohamad Yahiya from Pakenham, was denied bail in Melbourne's Magistrate's Court on Friday evening.

According to reports, the man had allegedly raped the 19-year-old in the backseat of his car on Batman Street in West Melbourne. The victim, who had just left a nightclub on Flinders Street, was offered a ride home by Yahiya. However, instead of taking her safely to her destination, he stopped the car and assaulted her.

The court heard that within minutes of entering the car, the young woman sent a distress message to her friend, pleading for help. She felt helpless and terrified as the 44-year-old showed her condoms and made disturbing comments about finishing quickly. Despite her resistance, he proceeded to rape her in the backseat of the car before abandoning her on the side of the road.

Yahiya was charged with rape and false imprisonment and his Uber account was suspended. The court was informed that the accused is a married Burmese refugee with a daughter, both of whom reside in the Philippines. The victim, who had been drinking at the nightclub but was not intoxicated, told the police about her ordeal. She expressed her fear and trauma, dreading the thought of her alleged attacker being released back into the community.

Magistrate Gregory Robinson deemed Yahiya a potential threat to other women in the community and denied him bail. The seriousness of the crime could result in a lengthy prison sentence if he is found guilty. The accused is expected to appear in court again later this year.

For those in need of support, 1800 RESPECT and the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service can be contacted at 1800 737 732 and 1800 211 028 respectively. In case of an emergency, please call triple zero.

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