A TAXI driver has been jailed three months for molesting his 20-year-old passenger even as he drove. 

As the woman rode in Rhemy Eusope's cab from Bukit Batok to Choa Chu Kang, he reached out his hand to the rear seat where she sat and held onto her hand through most of the trip. 

The woman, who had just bade her boyfriend goodnight, had boarded his cab alone just after midnight on May 22, 2010.

Rhemy, 42, complimented her on how nice she smelt and asked her personal questions, such as whether she went to bed with any of her boyfriends.

He reached out his left hand to shake hers, but did not let go, and held onto it firmly, resting both their hands on her knees. 

The woman, who was afraid, tried to free herself and told him to drive with both hands. 

Instead of getting off at Choa Chu Kang North 6, she asked to be dropped off at Choa Chu Kang Street 54.

He kept asking her about her boyfriend, but she felt uncomfortable and ignored him, said Deputy Public Prosecutor Alan Hu.

When she paid him the fare, he told her to stay. He quickly got out and joined her on the back seat, took her hand, placed it on his thigh and lit a cigarette. 

He kept saying she was pretty and asked her whether she had any sexy photographs. Thinking it might get him to let go of her hand, she showed him the pictures in her phone. 

When she asked to go home, he asked for her number. She gave him her prepaid card number. 

He then stretched out his hand and she shook it. He kissed her hand, placed his hand over her shoulders and asked her for a hug.

He raised his voice when she ignored him. He then got the hug he wanted, and brushed his hand down her back. 

The court heard that she pushed herself away and was about to open the door when he forcibly kissed her on the cheeks and forehead.

She subsequently called her boyfriend, who told her to make a police report.

Rhemy, who has a similar previous conviction, pleaded guilty.

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