National

Uber Driver Charged With Sexual Assault After Attack In Markham, Ont.

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Apr, 2016 11:39 AM

MARKHAM, Ont. — A man driving for the popular ride-hailing company Uber has been charged with sexual assault after an alleged attack on a passenger.

York Regional Police say the incident happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning when a woman in her 30s used the Uber app to arrange a ride in Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto.

Police say the driver took the woman to a parking lot in nearby Markham where she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Police say 30-year-old Ahmadfayim Bayat is now charged with one count of sexual assault.

They say Uber has been co-operative in the investigation.

Bayat is due in court later today for a bail hearing.

Susie Heath, a spokeswoman for Uber, said in an email that the company takes "every safety incident very seriously and are committed to the safety of everyone who uses Uber."

"Upon hearing of this disturbing incident, we immediately removed the driver from the platform and contacted York Regional Police to offer our assistance and have supported them in their investigation," she added.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

CP Rail Could Float Solution To Kicking Horse Rafting Battle At Friday Meeting

A public outcry greeted CP's announcement last month that it would ban guided rafting tours from crossing its tracks to reach the only point on the Kicking Horse River where rafts can be launched along the cliff-lined waterway.

CP Rail Could Float Solution To Kicking Horse Rafting Battle At Friday Meeting

Vancouver Pot Protest 'Necessary' Despite Legalization Promise, Activist

Optimism mixed with thick clouds of pot smoke in downtown Vancouver last year as tens of thousands of people gathered for the annual "4-20" marijuana legalization rally under a massive banner featuring Justin Trudeau's face on a rolling paper.

Vancouver Pot Protest 'Necessary' Despite Legalization Promise, Activist

33-Year-Old Killed In Chillwack Shooting, Police Seek Witnesses

A 33-year-old man has been killed in what police say appears to be a targeted shooting in Chilliwack, B.C.

33-Year-Old Killed In Chillwack Shooting, Police Seek Witnesses

Four Canadians Now Confirmed Dead In Ecuador Earthquake

Jennifer Mawn and her son, Arthur Laflamme, were reportedly killed when the roof of their residence caved in as the 7.8-magnitude quake struck Saturday night.

Four Canadians Now Confirmed Dead In Ecuador Earthquake

2 Pregnant Women Among Seven B.C. Residents Who Test Positive For Zika Virus

B.C. Centre for Disease Control epidemiologist Dr. David Patrick says the two pregnant women are being monitored but so far no one among the seven people has required hospital treatment.

2 Pregnant Women Among Seven B.C. Residents Who Test Positive For Zika Virus

Carolyn Bennett Says Native Suicide Crisis Not Linked To Legalization Of Assisted Dying

OTTAWA — Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett says the move to legalize medically assisted dying has no bearing on the suicide crisis among young people in First Nations communities.