An Indian-origin taxi driver has been sentenced to three months home detention for 'indecent assault' on two women in separate incidents, NZ Herald reported.
Sandeep Kumar, a taxi driver in Auckland, pleaded guilty to two counts of ‘indecent assault’ after he preyed on his drunk victims.
He twice groped women passengers in his cab.
He has been sentenced to three months home detention so that he can support his wife and child, NZ Herald reported.
"People should be able to catch taxis without the threat of offending against them. It should be a safe way for young women to get home at night," Judge Nevin Dawson said.
"Your offending not only makes it difficult for young women to rely on taxi services but now also casts aspersions on all other taxi drivers; unfairly so," the Judge said.
The first incident, took place in September 2014, when Kumar began massaging the leg of a young woman he had picked up from Ponsonby.
Kumar asked her if she wanted to go "somewhere else" but she declined and he dropped her home.
The second offence was committed nine months later, when he picked up another female partygoer and placed his hand inside her top before the intoxicated victim woke up and demanded he take her home.
Since then Kumar has stopped driving a taxi and has been working in catering company.
The judge, keeping in mind that Kumar supported his wife and 18-month-old child, ordered the 28-year-old to three months on home detention.
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