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P.E.I. RCMP investigating alleged assault in taxi

Steve Bruce | CBC News | Posted: August 15, 2016 9:00 PM | Last Updated: August 15, 2016

Woman says taxi driver grabbed her chest, driver denies incident

Image | Jessica Moore

Caption: Jessica Moore says she was grabbed by a taxi driver early Sunday morning. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

A Mount Mellick, P.E.I., woman has filed a formal complaint with RCMP, after she alleges a cab driver assaulted her in the front passenger seat early Sunday morning.
I had been drinking, but that doesn't make it okay. What happened happened. - Jessica Moore
"We were driving over the Hillsborough Bridge, and that's when he grabbed me. He grabbed my chest forcefully," Jessica Moore told CBC.
"I had to push his hand off me. It was just awful … Then he's like 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.' Apologizing doesn't make it okay."

'He got to drive away'

Moore said she immediately called 911, and the driver let her out at a gas station on the Stratford side of the bridge. She said there were already two RCMP officers on scene.

Image | Hillsborough Bridge

Caption: Moore said the incident took place while crossing the Hillsborough bridge into Stratford, P.E.I.

"I jumped out of the car and started screaming. And [the officer] put me in the back of the police car, and was talking to the cab driver for a minute, and then let him drive away," she said.
Moore claims both male officers laughed at her, then offered to take her the rest of the way home.
"I told them what happened, but it didn't seem like they cared because I heard the cab driver say 'she's just drunk, let her go.' And then he got to drive away," she said.

Complaint filed, police investigating

"I had been drinking, but that doesn't make it okay. What happened happened."
Moore finally reached another RCMP officer late Sunday to file her complaint against the cab driver.
RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Leanne Butler confirmed police are now investigating the assault allegations, though no charges have been laid.
The driver told CBC he doesn't want his name published, but denies an assault took place.

Cab company suspends driver

In the meantime Good Taxi Service said it has suspended the driver while the RCMP investigation is underway.

Image | Taxi

Caption: No charges have been laid against the taxi driver, but Kenny Good of Good Taxi said the driver has been suspended until the police investigation is complete. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

Owner Kenny Good said he found out about the allegations Sunday afternoon after Moore wrote a post on Facebook detailing her side of the story.
The post has been shared thousands of times.
"To see this allegation is very disturbing, probably one of the worst nightmares for a taxi company owner," said Good.
"My biggest concern is that all the men and women who work for me are going to be labelled. We're a good bunch of people, we respect our customers, and do not promote any kind of behaviour like that."

'We take every possible precaution'

Good said the driver — like all his employees — had gone through criminal record and vulnerable sector checks before being hired.
"Taxis in Charlottetown are safe," said Good. "We take every possible precaution to prevent incidents like this. All companies do, not just mine."
Still, Moore said she'll likely never take a cab again, and has some advice for women who will.
"Don't ever get in a cab alone. Maybe request a female driver, and be safe."
RCMP say they will look into her complaint about the alleged conduct of the two officers if Moore files a formal complaint.

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