An African Uber driver has been granted bail after facing court accused of indecently assaulting a female passenger during a ride in Perth.
Pierre Fundi Bulimwengu, 54, was arrested on Thursday morning over the alleged incident, which police said took place after he picked up a 21-year-old woman from a bar in Fremantle at about 11.30pm the previous night.
He allegedly stopped the car during the trip and told the woman to get in the front seat, and when she laughed he “repeated the direction in a serious matter and she felt compelled comply”, a police prosecutor told Perth Magistrates Court.
Bulimwengu then allegedly said “I’m dropping you home tonight but we should get a hotel”, started driving again, and then reached over and touched the woman’s shoulder and breast, The West Australian reported.
The prosecutor told the court the woman started filming, told Bulimwengu to stop, and then asked to get out of his vehicle a short distance from her home because she did not want him to know where she lived.
A lawyer for Bulimwengu, who was given a Swahili interpreter, argued his client should be released on bail as he is his family’s sole breadwinner, and his lawyer asked whether he could work as a food delivery driver.
Magistrate Andrew Matthews granted bail with strict conditions, including that Bulimwengu not work as a rideshare driver, surrender his Australian passport, and comply with protective conditions put in place to protect the alleged victim.
Bulimwengu covered his face as he left court, accompanied by family members who appeared to laugh and were asked by 10 News if they thought the charges were funny.
He will face court again next month.
Header image: Pierre Fundi Bulimwengu leaving court (10 News).
