A Dublin cab driver has avoided criminal punishment for “interrogating” a female customer by repeatedly enquiring if she was single or lived alone and remarking, “You look sexy,” reports Breaking News.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) brought charges against Lucas Bittencourt, 39, of Upper Dominic Street, Dublin, who entered a guilty plea in March of last year for using derogatory and vulgar remarks against a passenger in Dublin on May 14, 2023.
Judge Anthony Halpin observed that the accused had complied with his order to pay €1,600 compensation to the passenger and a further €400 towards prosecution costs, causing the case heard at Dublin District Court to be postponed until Monday, reports Breaking News.
Judge Halpin used the Probation of Offenders Act when taxi regulation solicitor Jason Teahan verified the money had been received.
The lady told the court that she hailed down a cab in the heart of the city and requested to be taken to Northwood, Dublin 9, reports Breaking News.
She “chatted generally” with Bittencourt, who informed her that he was Brazilian, while they were sat in the rear.
However, before they arrived, he began asking her if she lived alone, which made the topic “a bit more personal.”
“I thought you were single,” he replied, unbuckling his seat as he arrived at her location. Do you live by yourself?” reports Breaking News.
The woman was “taken aback” and “a bit uncomfortable” by the query after he repeated it several times.
Bittencourt had no prior convictions, and Mr. Teahan informed the Court that he then remarked, “I didn’t get a good look at you.” After turning on the car’s light, he said to her, “You look good; you look sexy,” reports Breaking News.
She felt “very uncomfortable” at this point and requested payment of the fare; there was a slight delay, but in the end, it was made, and she exited the cab.
When NTA officer Anthony Carey questioned Bittencourt after she complained, he gave a vague denial.
Although he said he couldn’t remember the details of the trip, he apologised to the NTA for any offence he may have caused, reports Breaking News.
Because she paid with the Revolut app, which featured a photo of the driver, the woman was able to identify him.
She attended the hearing last year, but because of Bittencourt’s guilty plea, she was not compelled to testify, reports Breaking News.
According to defence attorney Patrick Jackson, his client arrived in Ireland in 2005, has been a taxi driver for 15 years with an impeccable record, and typically sends home his profits.
On behalf of his client, the barrister was directed to provide a complete apology for the language used and any insensitivity.
Counsel clarified that since it was a Revolut payment, the accused, who remained silent in court, had to turn around in the vehicle, reports Breaking News.
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