Uber driver Venkat Soori abandons sex assault County Court appeal

An Uber driver who copped a $6000 fine with conviction for sexually assaulting a “terrified” young female customer appealed for a more lenient sentence. But he quickly changed his mind. Here’s why.

Uber driver Venkat Soori, who sexually assaulted a young female customer, leaves court on August 20. Picture: Paul Shapiro

An Uber driver who sexually assaulted his young female customer has abandoned his appeal for a more lenient sentence after a County Court judge warned he could face jail instead of just a fine.

Venkat Soori was driving for Uber when he picked up his victim and two of her friends from a party in Gardenvale, shortly after midnight on February 2, 2018.

The victim was sitting in the front by herself after her friends were dropped off in St Kilda East.

Soori told the girl he was studying massage and asked if she wanted one.

She refused but Soori placed his hands on her shoulder, neck, arms and thigh and squeezed.

She fended him away four times but he kept persisting.

He place his hand under her shirt and touched her inappropriately.

He also offered to stop the car and give her a “proper massage”.

She yelled “stop” but he kept going.

The girl told him to pull over and she got out.

She reported him to Uber and the police.

In her victim impact statement, the girl said she didn’t use Uber or other rideshares at night anymore.

She also said the incident had “clouded her head” and she had to take time off work because of stress and panic attacks.

“I felt embarrassed and ashamed,” she said.

“(I’m worried) this might happen to other girls.

“He crossed the line … (I was) terrified.”

Soori, 30, was given a $6000 fine with conviction in the Magistrates’ Court, but appealed the penalty in the County Court on August 20.

Judge Michael Tinney said the victim was in a “vulnerable position”.

“ (Soori) is a driver not a masseuse,” he said.

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Judge Tinney “formally warned” Soori’s lawyer what might happen if the appeal went ahead.

“What the devil is he doing appealing?” he said.

“He wasn’t locked up but he may well have been.”

Soori abandoned his appeal.

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