Auckland, New Zealand – A driver for the rideshare company Ola has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two women in his car while working in Auckland City. Sajid Mehmood, aged 50, made the plea in the Auckland District Court. However, he requested permanent name suppression and a discharge without conviction, which was denied by Judge Kevin Phillips.
One of the survivors, whose victim impact statement was read out in court, expressed her concern about Mehmood returning to his job as a driver if he received a discharge without conviction and name suppression. She emphasized her worry for other vulnerable women who might be put at risk if he were allowed to continue working as a driver. The survivor also shared her experience of feeling unsafe and seeking counseling due to the incident.
Judge Phillips acknowledged that Mehmood had kept his offending from his wife, family, and the community where he lived. Despite the potential impact on his family, the judge emphasized the public’s right to know about the offending. He stated that the community, including the school and mosque, needed to be aware that an individual within their midst had been held accountable for offending against vulnerable young women.
In his sentencing, Judge Phillips ordered Mehmood to complete 200 hours of community work, undergo nine months of supervision, and pay $750 in reparation to each survivor. The judge highlighted Mehmood’s deliberate exploitation of the women’s trust and criticized his attempts to downplay the severity of his actions.
Details from court documents revealed the circumstances of the assaults. On December 31, 2021, Mehmood accepted a fare from a woman and made inappropriate comments, causing her discomfort. He later grabbed her arm as she was leaving the vehicle. The woman immediately reported the incident to the police. However, Ola did not suspend Mehmood’s driving privileges until January 10, 2022, when he sexually assaulted another passenger.
The survivor of the second assault expressed her belief that Ola shares responsibility for the incidents, as they allowed Mehmood to continue driving after being notified of the initial complaint. She called for stricter regulations on rideshare companies and drivers to prioritize public safety over profits.
Andrew Galloway from Waka Kotahi, the NZ Transport Agency, stated that even if Mehmood were granted a discharge without conviction, it would not prevent the agency from revoking his passenger license. While Ola failed to promptly notify Waka Kotahi of the police investigation, they have since committed to informing the agency in the future when they receive production orders relating to drivers.
This case highlights the importance of holding offenders accountable, ensuring the safety of passengers, and maintaining trust in ride-share companies. The survivors’ courage in speaking out serves as a reminder that reporting such incidents can help prevent further harm to vulnerable individuals.
