Uber Eats driver pleads guilty to assaulting schoolgirl at Shellharbour
Syed Talha Ahmad, 28, pleaded guilty to assaulting a nine-year-old girl at a Shellharbour fast-food restaurant in August.
A delivery driver kissed a schoolgirl on the cheek without permission at a fast-food restaurant. Syed Talha Ahmad, 28, was picking up an Uber Eats order at Guzman y Gomez in Shellharbour on August 5 when he approached the nine-year-old, who was standing behind an adult at the counter.
CCTV showed him touching the back of her head, rubbing it, then bending down to kiss her cheek. Ahmad pleaded guilty to common assault at Port Kembla Local Court on September 23.
He told police he was unaware the contact was an offence and claimed it was culturally accepted to show kindness this way in Pakistan. He denied any sexual intent.
The matter was adjourned until November 5, when a sentencing assessment report is expected to be considered.
Why it mattersA child was touched and kissed by a stranger without consent; parents need to know the assault happened and the case is before the courts.
AustraliaA child in NSW was assaulted by a delivery driver; the case shows the risks children face from unknown adults in public places.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 16 h ago
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