FENHAM TAXI DRIVER APPEARS IN COURT OVER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION
A taxi driver has appeared in court accused of sexually assaulting one of his passengers.Mamunure Rashid is alleged to have committed the offence against the female in his cab one night in Newcastle in November last year.The 52-year-old was in the dock at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
Rashid, of Brand Avenue, Fenham, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to enter a not guilty plea to one count of sexual assault, which was suspected of happening on November 17 last year.District Judge Kate Meek said: "This can be tried at the magistrates' court.
If you are convicted, you could be committed to the crown court for sentence.
Do you consent to have your trial here or are you going to elect for it to be heard in the crown court?"Rashid confirmed he would be electing to have his case tried at Newcastle Crown Court.
District Judge Meek added: "Having elected to have your trial at the crown court, the next hearing will be at the crown court in Newcastle on August 6."You're bailed to be there at 9.30am on that date.
If you fail to attend, a warrant will likely be issued for your arrest and absconding charges laid.
Your case will also likely go ahead in your absence."In the meantime, Rashid was released on conditional bail, where he's not allowed to contact prosecution witnesses.
