A 55-year-old cab driver formerly employed by Golden Cabs has been acquitted of charges that he sexually assaulted two women and one 13-year-old girl who rode in his cab.
Neil McKenzie, a Crown prosecutor, confirmed that the case went to trial last November, and that the decision was made on Jan. 25, 2013.
On Jan. 25, 2012, Dawson Creek RCMP received a complaint that a girl had been lured into a taxi with a free ride home and later sexually assaulted. Two other women reported similar cases afterwards.
The driver, who was employed by Golden Cabs at the time, was taken into custody by Dawson Creek RCMP and later charged.
Crown counsel only pursued charges from one of the complainants of the two women and 13-year-old girl. However, McKenzie said that he could not say which of the women's complaints led to charges.
At the time, Dawson Creek City Council asked their staff to look into possibly suspending or revoking the company's business licence.
Abraham Koshin, the manager and part owner of Golden Cabs, was quoted as saying at the time that he was "shocked" to learn about the allegations during an interview with the Dawson Creek Daily News.
He also said that he continued to stand behind his staff, saying that the actions of one individual do not reflect upon everyone who works for Golden Cabs.
“The drivers in Dawson Creek have been with the company quite some time and it is a surprise to me."
When reached later, Koshin said that the driver accused of the assaults no longer worked for his company, and that he did not plan to rehire that individual.
“We don't want to have him back whether he won his case or not,” he said. “He's never been with us since his day … he's not welcome in this company because we don't want to have somebody who's been charged.”
As well, Koshin said that his chauffeur's licence has been revoked, and that this has disqualified him from driving taxis in Canada.
“We'll make sure if it happens in the future those kinds of individuals aren't welcome in my company,” he said.
Koshin also noted that before the incident took place, the man had passed background checks that are regulated by the City of Dawson Creek and the RCMP.
As well, after the investigation, Dawson Creek City Council asked that a fitness review of Golden Cabs take place by the Passenger Transportation Board. This board oversees cab companies and public transportation within B.C., among other duties.
A fitness review could mean potential disciplinary action could have been taken against Golden Cabs by the board.
The Passenger Transportation Board was not available for comment.
