An Uber driver has been jailed after sexually assaulting a university student he had just driven home, before going on to attack another woman weeks later. The case was reported by WalesOnline, which outlined how 28-year-old Amanuale Mebrahtu targeted both victims during late-night encounters in Cardiff.
Student attacked after Uber journey home
According to WalesOnline, the first offence took place after Mebrahtu picked up a young female student who had booked an Uber to return home after a night out. After completing the journey, he followed her and sexually assaulted her before she managed to get to safety.
Second woman assaulted after being offered a ‘piggy back’
Weeks later, Mebrahtu approached another woman in the city. As reported by WalesOnline, he offered her a “piggy back” down a set of stairs but then used the situation to sexually assault her. She immediately reported the incident.
Driver convicted and sentenced
Police investigations linked Mebrahtu to both attacks, and he has now been jailed following his conviction. Uber has not commented publicly on the case at the time of writing, but incidents of this nature typically lead to an immediate permanent ban from the platform.
Safety implications for the UK private hire sector
Cases like this remain extremely rare across the industry, but they raise important questions about safeguarding, late-night transport, driver vetting and the steps platforms must take to protect vulnerable passengers. Many campaigners also continue to call for mandatory CCTV in all private hire vehicles to help deter predatory behaviour and support evidence gathering.
DM News Commentary
This disturbing case highlights why passenger safety must stay at the centre of both ride-hailing operations and local licensing policies. Although the overwhelming majority of drivers work professionally and lawfully, even isolated incidents can erode public trust. For drivers, stronger safeguarding measures — such as CCTV, clearer safety protocols, and consistent enforcement across councils — can help ensure the actions of one individual don’t damage the reputation of the entire trade.
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