'I wanted to be kidnapped and killed': Teenager admits tricking cab driver

A teenage girl admitted in court on Tuesday that she tricked a Bolt driver accused of sexually assaulting her, because “she wanted to be kidnapped and killed."

The girl testified during proceedings against driver Amir Hussein, 30, who is pleading not guilty to sexual assault. 

The teenager testified that the incident began in Paola where she had an argument with a friend. She booked a ride by Bolt to return to home in Santa Luċija. She was under severe psychological distress at the time, having thoughts of wanting to be abducted and harmed. 

She got into a casual conversation with the driver, viewing it as an “opportunity to fulfil these desires”, she told the court.

The driver complimented her appearance and character and requested her mobile number. She complied, admitting this was entirely fueled by the plan she had formed in her mind.

Upon reaching her destination, she initially did not want to leave the vehicle. However, the two agreed to meet later that evening.

She went inside to change her clothes before going back out.

The driver returned at approximately 10.30pm, explaining he had to finish other trips before picking her up.

 As she got into the car, he asked her where she wanted to go. He suggested Blue Grotto, a proposal she accepted because, by her own admission, she "wanted things to go badly."

The witness explained that they parked near the cliffs at Blue Grotto. The driver clearly had sexual intentions, asking her to kiss him and initiating sexual advances.

The girl maintained that “her only objective was to be abducted or killed”, and she had no sexual intent.

She said the driver grabbed her hand and forced her to touch his private parts. "I pulled my hand back, but he pulled it right back," she testified. 

She alleged that the driver 'manipulated her into sexual acts', as he argued that he had gone out of his way to pick her up.

On their way back, the girl said that she opened up to the driver, expressing her true emotional state and what she had originally wanted from him.

Immediately upon arriving home, the girl confided in her mother. The two went to Paola Police Station to formally report the driver. 

During cross-examination, the girl revealed that she attempted a similar scheme during a trip to New York with her mum and US police were called to the scene.

Under questioning, she admitted to consuming cannabis with her friends, saying that the drug made her "more impulsive."

She confirmed that she had failed to take her prescribed psychiatric medication on the day of the incident.

The defence argued that she booked the Bolt ride specifically to force the accused to execute her plan of being kidnapped and killed. 

The witness admitted this was not an isolated thought, stating, "This was not the first time I had this plan…  I had been planning this for a long time."

The defence asked her whether, following the alleged incident, she had wanted to go to the accused’s house.

The girl confirmed that, and said that the accused had told her he was unable to take her home.

Following the arraignment, ride-hailing company Bolt issued a statement affirming that they take all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously and are cooperating fully with the ongoing police investigation.

The prosecution is being led by Police Inspector Antonello Magri and lawyer Kristina Bartolo from the Office of the Attorney General.

Lawyer Nicolai Bugeja appeared for the victim while lawyer Nicholas Mifsud appeared for the accused.