An Indian Uber driver accused of raping a university student in Gold Coast has denied any physical contact with the 20-year-old student, other than “her resting her head on his shoulder”, a court has heard.
The 24-year-old international student from India, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with one count of rape and one count of assault over the alleged incident on 23rd September.
The accused picked up 20-year-old student from a nightclub and allegedly raped her near her home after locking the car door.
On Monday, the court heard the alleged victim told the police the driver kissed her and bit her lip.
The court documents state the alleged victim told the police she “just froze and felt like she couldn’t stop him”.
She told police the driver allegedly asked for her number “to check that its actually hers” before she was allowed to leave, reports.
After he drove away, a security guard who found the alleged victim crying and sitting in the dirt, called the police.
The driver then allegedly sent her two text messages.
Police have confirmed the driver's phone details and the journey details described by the student with Uber, police told the court.
The police have also obtained CCTV which shows the driver’s car pulling over near her home and remaining there for 27 minutes.
The driver has denied any physical contact with the student, other than “her resting her head on his shoulder” to the police.
Barrister Scott Lynch told the court the complainant was intoxicated and “ostensibly cannot remember the journey home”.
The driver was released on bail on October 12. On Monday, the court heard he will not be driving Uber while he is out on bail.
