Everything You Need To Know About The Ex-Grab Driver Accused Of Trying To Rape Drunk 19YO

If you’re a taxi or private-hire car driver, you’re bound to come across all sorts of people.

This includes difficult customers, pleasant conversationalists, and the occasional drunk passenger.

As a driver, it’s part of your responsibility to ensure that your passengers reach their destination safely, especially if they’re inebriated.

Most drivers are committed to doing this, of course. However, some will try to take advantage of them instead.

Everything You Need To Know About The Ex-Grab Driver Accused Of Trying To Rape Drunk 19YO

A 46-year-old former Grab driver is on trial after he allegedly sexually assaulted and attempted to rape a 19-year-old girl in his car in 2018.

The victim was drunk and barely conscious of what had happened, but the driver, Tan Yew Sin, claims she had taken part in the acts.

In the early hours of 19 May 2018, Tan had picked the victim up from a bar when he was driving for the ride-hailing firm Grab.

The victim had had about five glasses of beer at the bar with her friends, according to TODAY.

Her friend had helped her book a Grab ride from the Wild Seed Bar at the Seletar Aerospace Park to her condominium.

When Tan arrived, the teenager’s friend informed Tan that the girl was drunk, and gave her a plastic bag in case she felt like throwing up.

The victim laid down in the back passenger seat and could be heard crying during the ride, based on the in-camera car footage.

Tan said he had tried to talk to the girl, but she fell asleep.

When they reached her home, the teenager alighted and tried tapping her pouch against the card reader, but could not get in for some reason.

Tan said she looked lost at that point. She squatted on the ground and began crying.

Instead of trying to help the girl get back home, Tan brought her back into his car.

Molest, Sexual Assault, Attempted Rape

While inside the car, the 19-year-old started getting agitated and banged her head against the side window while crying.

Tan said he tried to console her, but she banged her head on the window again and pounded her chest.

Here, once again, Tan should have brought the victim back home, but he started kissing her and sexually assaulting her instead.

He also tried to rape her and failed, so he drove her to a more secluded area where they would not be seen.

Here, he molested her while she was in the rear passenger seat, but she pushed his hands away.

Then, the victim started to regain her senses.

So Tan drove her back to the condominium, helped her through the side gate, and drove off.

Claimed She Had Taken Part In Sex Acts

A few hours later, another Grab driver who was passing by found her lying in the middle of the road along Jalan Loyang Besar, which was quite a distance from her home.

According to TODAY, the girl was barely conscious and her underwear and safety shorts – which protect women from sexual assault – were missing.

Still inebriated, the 19-year-old did not know who removed them, or where they were.

Speaking to the police, Tan admitted that he had not asked her for consent, and that she had not given it, but still maintained that she had taken part in the sex acts.

Based on her medical report, the teenage girl may have been in an “alcohol blackout”, meaning she was not at all aware of what happened and cannot remember the incident.

Tan’s DNA was found in the victim’s bra cup, and his underwear tested positive for his semen and her DNA.

If the married father-of-three is convicted of attempted rape, he could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined or caned.

While Tan’s defence team will likely argue that the victim consented to the acts, a consultant from the Institute of Mental Health will testify that the victim’s significant intoxication would render her incapable of doing so.

Grab’s Response

Speaking to CNA, Grab said Tan has been banned from Grab’s platform.

“Our users’ safety is important to us and we have zero tolerance for indecent behaviour, harassment or abuse of any kind. Users who have displayed indecent behaviour will be banned from the platform,” a spokeswoman said.

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