A rape-accused rideshare driver allegedly scoped a bustling LGBTQI institution for vulnerable victims in the early hours of the morning.
Mohamed Abukar, who is charged with raping and twice sexually assaulting a woman, had been "doing laps" outside the popular Peel Hotel in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Collingwood that night, police say.
The alleged victim, a 23-year-old woman, had been out drinking with her girlfriend and her girlfriend's sister on January 25 when they attended the hotel, a magistrate heard on Friday.
The couple had argued earlier that night, and the complainant left the venue alone to book a rideshare back to her partner's accommodation in South Yarra just before 5am, Senior Constable Rachel Haugh told the court.
As she got into the back seat of Abukar's car before moving to the front at his request, the 44-year-old allegedly said he would take her home after revealing she was not his customer.
The 23-year-old recalled drifting in and out of consciousness during the trip, waking up to the driver allegedly touching her leg and thigh and then putting his hand in her underwear.
CCTV footage showed Abukar parking his car along a street in Collingwood during the trip before exiting his side and moving to the passenger side, where he sexually assaulted the woman, Ms Haugh said.
The car remained stationary for 11 minutes before resuming the trip and dropping off the woman in South Yarra at 5.43am.
A short time later, the woman's girlfriend found her laying facedown asleep in the hallway of her apartment, before they reported the matter to police.
As the investigation began, rideshare service DiDi told police Abukar, who worked for them, had not been online on the platform that night, Ms Haugh said.
"The accused appears to be targeting the Peel Hotel for unknown reasons. It's an LGBTQ venue and typically those people struggle to come forward to report (incidents)," she told the court.
"He had been doing laps around the area around the hotel prior to picking up the victim."
Detectives have relied on CCTV footage showing Abukar's car travelling, including a trip to 7-Eleven after the alleged assault.
Cell tower data also indicated both the victim's and Abukar's phones were moving in tandem from Collingwood to South Yarra during the trip, the court was told.
Ms Haugh said previous allegations were made against Abukar, having occurred outside the Peel Hotel.
A rape allegation was levelled against him in 2022 where he requested a male victim to perform oral sex on him in his car, which he did.
The man elected not to proceed with the case.
In 2023, Abukar collected a woman from the Peel and allegedly put his hand down her pants during the trip.
The complainant initially decided not to proceed, but the case was reopened on Friday.
Abukar has not been charged with any offences over these two alleged incidents.
In denying him bail, magistrate James Fitzgerald referred to the serious allegations and the strength of the prosecution case.
Abukar will return to court on June 12.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Lifeline 13 11 14
Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
