Amanuale Mebrahtu

An Uber driver in Cardiff, Amanuale Mebrahtu, 28, of Picton Place, Canton, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for committing sexual assaults against two vulnerable women. The incidents occurred after Mebrahtu picked up passengers who had been out socialising in the city centre, exploiting his position of trust as a driver meant to provide safe transport home.

In the first assault, Mebrahtu collected a female student who had ordered an Uber ride following a night out. Although she had been drinking, she was not intoxicated. During the journey, Mebrahtu's conversation shifted from general questions to inappropriate sexual remarks, including asking if she wanted to 'sleep around with other men'. He made her uncomfortable by turning in his seat and staring at her. Upon arrival at her home, he requested a hug, which she reluctantly agreed to in order to end the interaction quickly. However, during the hug, he groped her bottom. Shocked, she pulled away, but Mebrahtu persisted by asking if he could enter her house or if she would return to his car. He lingered outside her property for five minutes before leaving. The victim reported the assault to Uber and the police, but Mebrahtu later sent her a Snapchat friend request, heightening her anxiety.

• The victim described her ordeal in a personal statement: 'This has impacted me in a number of ways, much greater than I initially thought. I was in the defendant's taxi terrified and sensed something was not right because of what he was saying, the eye contact and his body language.'
• She added: 'I felt scared if I did not hug him he would get angry... I felt shocked at what had happened and could not believe he would not listen to me tell him no... After he left, I felt really dirty.'

The second assault took place shortly after, when Mebrahtu followed the second victim and her friends in his car as they walked from Cardiff city centre. Noticing the victim appeared intoxicated, he anticipated their path, exited his vehicle, and offered her a piggyback ride down some stairs. She accepted, believing it a genuine offer of help. At the bottom of the stairs, however, Mebrahtu continued walking, asked if she wanted to enter his taxi, then placed his hands under her dress, touching her vagina and penetrating her with his fingers before fleeing. Her friends pursued him but he escaped. CCTV footage later identified him, revealing he had followed the group for one-and-a-half hours.

• The second victim stated: 'My life has been impacted in a number of ways and I am undergoing therapy counselling sessions... It has changed how I view the world and interactions with others. I am constantly on edge, on high alert.'
• She continued: 'The defendant took advantage of me when I was in an extremely vulnerable state. I am unable to trust new people and struggle to develop new friendships.'

Mebrahtu was convicted of assault by penetration and sexual assault. Of previous good character, his defence highlighted his community contributions and family support role. Judge Matthew Porter-Bryant remarked: 'You regularly came into contact with young females who had been out socialising and drinking. You were meant to represent a means of returning home safely. You were meant to be a protective factor, not a person young females needed to be protected from.' The sentencing occurred on 09 November 2025 at Cardiff Crown Court, as reported by Wales Online court correspondent Philip Dewey.