Will he be deported?
An Auckland-based Ola rideshare driver who indecently assaulted two young female customers on separate occasions lost his bid for permanent name suppression today after a judge expressed shock he hasn’t yet told his family or the operators of a religious-based school – whose property he lives on – about the serious sexual nature of the charges.
Sajid Mehmood, 50, stood in the Auckland District Court dock with his head bowed for much of today’s lengthy hearing.
In addition to permanent name suppression, defence lawyer Gul Qaisrani sought a discharge without conviction, arguing that “naming and shaming” him would create four other victims – his wife and children.
Judge Kevin Phillips rejected the argument, noting that Mehmood’s hardship is the result of his offending and his failure to alert those around him earlier.
“People get into these vehicles trusting the drivers,” he said, adding there is a strong public interest in knowing about offending of that nature. “There is a very strong expectation … that the drivers are trustworthy and responsible.”
The suppression bid was opposed by police prosecutor Alva Tohovaka-Staples, the Herald, Stuff and TVNZ. It was also strongly opposed by one of his victims, who didn’t appear in person today but submitted an emotional victim impact statement that was read aloud to the judge.
“His disgusting actions have affected every part of my life,” the woman wrote. “I did not ask for this. I did not deserve this. And I will not stand for this.
“I should have been safe. His passengers should have been safe.”
NZ Herald
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