Sexual assault case against Halifax taxi driver dismissed
The case of a 45-year-old Halifax taxi driver accused of sexually assaulting a passenger last July has been dismissed, although he still faces trial next week in a separate case.
Milad Houssen's first sexual assault trial came to a halt Tuesday in Halifax provincial court after Crown attorney Robert Kennedy offered no evidence.
In an email, Kennedy explained that the complainant, who resided in New Brunswick at the time of the incident, moved to London, England, in June.
"In speaking with her several times about this matter, it is her desire to discontinue the prosecution as she does not want to disrupt this new stage of her life," Kennedy wrote.
"She further did not wish to go through the process of testifying in a sexual assault trial. This decision came after much discussion with her about the court process and after she consulted with her parents. Given her unequivocal wishes, the Crown made the decision to offer no evidence."
The allegations
Police alleged that on July 9, 2016, at 2:50 a.m., a taxi driver kissed and touched a 20-year-old woman in a sexual manner without her consent. Halifax Regional Police said at they time they were called to Barrington Street in downtown Halifax and found the driver and passenger. Houssen was arrested.
Shortly after he was charged in that incident, Houssen turned himself into Halifax Regional Police headquarters in connection with another alleged sexual assault involving a second complainant.
That alleged incident happened on June 4, 2016. Houssen's trial in that case begins on Monday.
Police allege a man driving a taxi around Grafton and Blowers streets picked up a 25-year-old female passenger. The driver allegedly touched the passenger in a sexual way before dropping her off.
