A fake rideshare driver who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in Melbourne tried to blame the teen for leading him on.
The girl was waiting for an Uber in February 7 last year when 29-year-old Faizan Abdullah stopped his car and claimed to be her driver.
During a seven-minute trip just after 1.30am Abdullah drove erratic laps of the Brunswick area and questioned the girl about her boyfriend.
Abdullah stopped near a poorly lit factory and got out of the car, claiming there was something wrong with his phone.
The terrified teen followed and was pushed against a fence by Abdullah who moaned as he sexually assaulted her.
He paused briefly after hearing loud banging from a nearby party. The crying girl pushed him away when he tried to assault her again, telling him she as going to call police.
Abdullah, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault, told the girl she was gorgeous before leaving.
He told police after his arrest days later that the girl had grabbed his leg during the drive and had made him feel uncomfortable.
Abdullah's behaviour was predatory, his lawyer Leighton Glynn conceded in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old also admitted knowingly possessing child abuse material after officers found 69 videos and images on his mobile phone and laptop of children being sexually abused.
Abdullah's victim told the court she struggled through her final year of school because of the assault, withdrawing from friends and family.
She felt as if her innocence had been taken.
Abdullah faces the prospect of being deported to Pakistan. Mr Glynn said a sentence of 12 months or less would allow the "very bright" PhD student to reapply for a visa and stay in Australia.
Magistrate Donna Bakos will sentence Abdullah on Friday.
