Teen left terrified after alleged rape by Uber driver, court hears

A young woman who was allegedly raped in the back of an Uber has told a court she is traumatised and terrified.

Mohamad Yahiya, the 44-year-old Pakenham man was denied bail in Melbourne's Magistrate's court on Friday evening.

The man allegedly raped the 19-year-old in the back seat of his car on Batman Street in West Melbourne, a court was told.

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Police say the 19-year-old woman had just left a Flinders Street nightclub when Yahiya pulled over and allegedly offered her a ride home.

The court heard that within minutes of entering the car, the teenager sent her friend a message by phone reading "help…plz".

The court heard that the 44-year-old allegedly showed his young passenger condoms, and told her: "It won't take long, I'll finish really fast."

It is alleged he then raped the teenager in the back seat of his car, then left her on the side of the road.

Yahiya was charged with rape and false imprisonment on Thursday.

The Burmese refugee is married with a daughter, both of whom live in the Philippines.

The woman told police she had been drinking at the nightclub but was not drunk.

The court heard that she is traumatised and was terrified at the prospect of her alleged attacker being released into the community.

"The predatory nature of the offending is such I do consider him a risk to other women in the community," Magistrate Gregory Robinson said.

The alleged offender's Uber account was suspended.

If found guilty Mohamad Yahiya could face a hefty prison sentence.

He will return to court later this year.

Readers seeking support can contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028.

In an emergency, call triple zero (000).