A Melbourne man, Francesco De Luise, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison, with eligibility for parole after six years, for sexually assaulting three women by masquerading as an Uber driver. The incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022, where De Luise, a 60-year-old father of three, preyed on young women leaving nightspots in Melbourne, convincing them to enter his vehicle with the belief he was their Uber ride. The court heard how one of the victims feared for her life during the assault, a sentiment echoed by the other victims who described feeling powerless and trapped.

During the hearings, it was revealed that De Luise had been on bail since December 2022 before being taken into custody ahead of his sentencing. In his defense, personal struggles were cited as contributing factors to his actions; however, this was strongly rejected by the judge, who condemned De Luise’s attempt to shift blame onto the victims, describing his actions as an “exercise in male entitlement” and emphasizing the vulnerability and powerlessness of the victims.

The case has underscored the severity of crimes that exploit individuals’ trust in services like Uber. The judge’s decision to sentence De Luise intends to signal a strong stance against such exploitative crimes and victim blaming. Victims of sexual assault have been reminded they can seek support through organizations such as 1800Respect in Australia and Rape Crisis in the UK.