A 25-year-old Uber driver has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred after a woman and her two friends shared a ride home from a Toronto nightclub.
York Regional Police say the driver picked up the women from the nightclub and dropped them off at separate addresses across York Region in the early hours of Sunday morning.
When the driver approached the final drop-off location in the City of Vaughan, police say he allegedly advised the woman that she needed to pay in cash or “by other means.”
Police say the victim immediately felt uncomfortable and asked the driver to stop the car and let her out, but when she exited the car the driver did as well and allegedly sexually assaulted her.
Osamah al-Mandalawi, 25, of Mississauga has been charged with one count of sexual assault after he was arrested at his home on Monday without incident.
Uber Canada said Wednesday afternoon it has cut ties with al-Mandalawi.
“This is a disturbing incident, and upon hearing of these reports, we immediately removed the driver in question from the Uber platform,” said spokesperson Susie Heath. “We have been in touch with York Regional Police and will continue to assist in any way we can.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing and any additional victims or anyone with information on the alleged sexual assault is asked to contact York Regional Police.
A sexual assault includes any non-consensual contact of a sexual nature and there is no statute of limitations for sexual offences, according to police, meaning offenders can be prosecuted well after the date of the offence.
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