Police swoop on taxi driver boarding flight after alleged sex assault

A Melbourne taxi driver has been arrested boarding a flight to India just hours after he allegedly sexually assaulted his passenger on a trip from the CBD.

A Melbourne taxi driver has been arrested boarding a flight to India after allegedly sexually assaulted a passenger.

A Melbourne taxi driver has been arrested boarding a flight to India just 35 hours after he allegedly sexually assaulted a passenger and stole her engagement ring.

Satinder Satinder appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link from Melbourne Assessment Prison on Thursday charged with 15 counts of sexual assault and one count of theft.

Police allege Mr Satinder, 28, from Thomastown, picked up the woman on Collins St in Melbourne’s CBD about 3.30am and assaulted her during the 45-minute fare to her home on June 27.

It is alleged he also stole an engagement ring from her finger during the ordeal.

The court heard the entire incident was captured on the in-car camera.

Detectives swooped and arrested Mr Satinder at the international terminal at Tullamarine about 2.30pm on June 29.

A Hindi interpreter was required for him to understand the court proceedings.

Defence lawyer Michael Haralambous said his client was aware today’s hearing was an adjournment request to allow police time to take a statement from the complainant.

The court heard it was a unique scenario to have a person charged with an offence without a statement being taken, but the woman had to travel interstate and would speak with detectives on her return next week.

Officers were also forced to swoop sooner than expected when Mr Satinder tried to board a plane to leave the country, the court heard,

The prosecution said more charges could be laid once the statement has been taken.

Mr Satinder will remain in custody until he returns to court on July 18.

Originally published as Police swoop on taxi driver boarding flight after alleged sex assault