Uber driver denies rape of student

A GOLD Coast Uber driver accused of raping a university student is living in Australia on a student visa, and claims his alleged victim only rested her head on his shoulder after the ride home, a court has heard.

The 24-year-old driver from Coombabah, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been granted bail by Brisbane Supreme Court on one charge of rape and one of common assault.

Crown solicitor Scott Carter told the court the man, who was an Indian national and had “no ties to the jurisdiction”, was on a student visa to study hospitality.

He has been accused of raping a 20-year-old student after picking her up from a Surfers Paradise nightclub on September 23 and driving her home.

Police allege when the car pulled up outside her accommodation the driver kissed her, then bit her on her lip.

He then allegedly raped her, with the alleged victim telling police she “just froze and felt like she couldn’t stop him”.

She told police she was concerned that the driver would not let her get out of the Honda sedan, and decided to try to placate him by giving him her phone number.

After he drove away the alleged victim was overwhelmed with emotion and was found crying and sitting in the dirt by a security guard, who called police.

Police checks with Uber had confirmed the details of the journey as described by the student, police told the court.

CCTV allegedly showed the Uber driver’s car pulling over near her home and remaining there for 27 minutes.