Police Charge Wheel Trans Driver with Sexual Assault

A Mississauga man is facing two charges and Toronto Police are investigating the possibility of laying more, as they investigate the sexual assault of a 21-year-old woman with cerebral palsy.

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Detective Derek Young says the York University student was taking Wheel Trans home from the Variety Village near Danforth and Birchmount shortly after noon on Thursday.

"He (the driver) asked if she was a virgin before he committed the act, and he drove to a couple of locations and sexually assaulted her.  She's extremely traumatised.  He threatened her life if she told anyone."

Young says police believe there may be other victims, and given the nature of the crime, is urging people with information to come forward.

"From the conversation with the complainant in this matter, he had indicated that he had formed relationships with other individuals. And I do believe that he's offended prior to this.  We're urging those people to come forward. It's an extremely traumatic event to come forward with any assault, sexual or other nature, but we have to put these people before the courts and try them accordingly, to protect the society."

He adds this case is particularly disturbing.

"It's just horrific. I've been almost 30 years on the police service and this... he's a very sick and sadistic individual, to ask if she's a virgin first, and then to sexual assault her."

The suspect is not a TTC employee, but rather a taxi driver whose parent company, Toronto Para Transit has a contract with the TTC.

Right now, all taxi drivers who will be driving Wheel Trans vehicles have to undergo an initial criminal background check, but TTC spokesperson Brad Ross says further steps are being taken to keep their riders safe.

"We're renewing some of our taxi cab contracts, for accessible service, and one of the stipulations in the contract renewal will be an annual criminal background check."

Forty-two-year-old Amsulu Woldegio Ketsela of Mississauga is facing one count each of sexual assault and threatening death.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5404, Crime Stoppers at 416-222- TIPS or online.

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