Victim, 17, testifies in sexual assault proceedings against cab driver

DISCLAIMER: This article contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing

A 17-year-old girl testified in court on Tuesday as a cab driver was charged with sexual assault against her.

The young girl gave a harrowing account in court on Tuesday in proceedings against cab-driver Amir Hussein, 30, who is facing charges of having committed sexual acts on a minor.

Taking the stand via video-conference, the minor recalled her mother accompanied her to the police station to file the official report.

The girl explained she had booked a Bolt taxi from Paola while experiencing an intense, overwhelming urge to be harmed.

“I had this desire to be kidnapped and killed by someone,” she told the court. “I started building a casual conversation with the driver in order to fulfil this desire. I wanted him to kill me.”

During the ride, the driver, identified as Amir Hussein, allegedly told her she was an attractive girl and asked for her mobile number. The witness provided it, hoping it would further the plan she had conceived in her mind.

“I didn’t want to get out of the car, but we made an agreement that he would message me and pick me up later that evening,” she said.

After arriving home, the girl went upstairs to her bathroom, pretended to change, and then waited in her room until around 10:30pm while exchanging WhatsApp messages with the driver.

“I was deeply depressed and I wanted him to kill me,” she repeated. When Amir suggested driving to the Blue Grotto, she agreed, explaining that she did not want to upset him or derail her hidden plan.

However, instead of the violence she expected, the driver reportedly sought out an isolated area on the cliffs, away from people and other vehicles.

While she was sitting in the passenger seat, the driver allegedly began making unwanted sexual advances, whereby he started kissing and touching her. The alleged victim also maintained that he slipped his hand under her top, and placed her hand on his private parts, forcing her to touch him.

The girl told the court that she immediately went into shock and froze. 

“I told him I did not want to engage in sexual acts,” she stated, adding, “I just wanted him to kidnap and kill me.”

The situation came to an end when the woman’s mother grew worried and called one of her daughter’s friends to check on her whereabouts.

Realising something was wrong, the mother prepared to go to the police station. Shortly afterward, the mother’s partner spotted the daughter inside the parked vehicle near their home, prompting the mother to rush outside. She eventually took her daughter to the police station.

 

Plan was attempted in the United States

Defence counsel’s cross-examination shed further light on the facts of the case.

The minor confirmed that she had been consuming cannabis with her friends prior to the incident, noting that the drug made her “more impulsive.”

She also confirmed the defence’s assertion she had failed to take her prescribed psychiatric medication on the day in question.

The court heard how the witness had booked the taxi specifically to force the driver into executing her plan of being kidnapped and killed and maintained that she had been planning such for quite a long time.

She further admitted US police had previously searched for her after she attempted to carry out the exact same plan with other men while in the United States.

During the first ride, the girl maintained Hussein had no intention of kidnapping her. When the defence suggested that the driver was terrified by her demands, the witness disagreed, claiming “he knew she was joking” about the threat.

Asked by the defence whether Hussein had been forced into giving her his mobile number, the girl replied in the negative. She recounted that the driver had initially told her to get out of the car at her destination, but she repeatedly refused.

According to her testimony, she only agreed to exit the vehicle after they struck a deal that he would pick her up later that evening because he thought she was a “nice girl.”

The defence further suggested that, following the alleged incident, the minor had wanted to go to the accused’s house. The witness confirmed this, adding the accused told her he could not take her to his home.

Magistrate Gianella Camilleri Busuttil presided over the case.

The accused was defended by lawyer Nicholas Mifsud, while the prosecution was led by Inspector Antonello Magri and AG lawyer Kristina. 

Lawyer Nicolai Bugeja was parte civile.

If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to professional help services available in Malta. 

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