A Melbourne taxi driver has been accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a woman during a 45-minute journey from the city’s centre to Wantirna South.
Satinder Satinder, 28, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from prison.
According to the police, 7 News reports, Satinder picked up the 30-year-old woman from Collins Street at approximately 3:30 am on June 27. During the 35km trip, he allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times and stole her engagement ring.
Satinder was apprehended at Melbourne International Airport around 2:30 pm on June 29, just before he was about to board a flight to India. He has been charged with 15 counts of sexual assault and one count of theft.
7 News reported that the prosecutor informed the court that the police have yet to obtain a statement from the alleged victim, who had travelled interstate. This statement is expected to be obtained on Tuesday, after which prosecutors will determine if the charges should be escalated. An adjournment was sought to allow these processes to occur.
The court was also told that the entire incident was captured on the car’s interior cameras, providing crucial evidence for the case.
Magistrate Leon Fluxman remanded Satinder in custody, with a return to court scheduled for July 18.
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