Halifax cabbie accused of sex assault headed to trial

Halifax taxi driver John Norris has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and unlawful confinement of a female passenger.

A lawyer appeared in Halifax provincial court Thursday on Norris's behalf.

A one-day trial is expected to be held on Jan. 25.

Norris, a driver for the Casino taxi company, is accused of sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman in his vehicle on April 16.

Police said the woman was riding in the cab when she was touched "in a manner that would be described as for a sexual purpose." She called for help shortly after.

Norris was released with conditions after a court appearance on April 18. He was permitted to drive a taxi but couldn't accept a fare from a lone woman.

At the time, the operations manager for Casino said Norris was off duty until he heard more about the case.

It's the third case in less than a year where Halifax police have charged a taxi driver with sexually attacking a young woman.