Brisbane Uber driver found not guilty of raping teenage passenger

A Brisbane Uber driver has been found not guilty of the rape of a teenage passenger after a three-day trial.

Anil Elavithungal Thomas was accused of raping and sexually assaulting the 16-year-old after he picked her up at a supermarket, before driving her to her friend’s house in July, 2017. 

Today he walked from court a free man, fighting back tears.

The teenager had alleged she ordered an Uber to take her to a friend's place but instead Mr Thomas drove her to a vacant block in Manly West and raped her.

A jury today found the married father-of-two not guilty on all eight charges.

They believed his version of events, that she came onto him, telling him she had just broken up with her boyfriend.

He claims he rejected her twice before he "lost his control" and "couldn't resist" her sexual advances.

The 39-year-old lost his job as an Uber driver. It's unlikely he'll be able to work as one again.  

"It's affected his work, it's affected him emotionally, it's put a strain on his marriage with his wife," lawyer Brendon Beavon said.

"This means that he can get on with his life."