TTC bus driver charged with sex assault of teen girl
Posted May 8, 2015 2:55 pm.
Last Updated May 8, 2015 7:12 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A TTC driver is facing three charges related to an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl on a bus.
Cleveland Phillips, 50, of Toronto, faces sexual assault, sexual interference and sexual exploitation charges.
The girl, 16, was on a bus that left Kipling station around midday on May 5. Police say the driver stopped the bus in a commercial area, let the girl sit in his seat and assaulted her. Nobody else was on the bus when the alleged incident happened.
Police say there may be other victims.
The TTC released the following statement: “The allegations and charges…are incredibly serious and disturbing. The TTC is co-operating fully with police; the accused is not performing any TTC duties at this time.”
In a note to all union members, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 president Bob Kinnear said: “…everyone is entitled to due process under the law. Having said that, we are very concerned for this girl and her family and are very distressed at what they must be going through.”
“All of our members will be outraged if the justice system finds that the allegation is true in any way. Such an intolerable act would be a gross betrayal of our members’ fundamental commitment to the safety and well-being of our passengers.”
“We want the public to understand that the union does not defend, or assist with the defense, of a member charged by the police with a criminal act.”
Mayor Tory also addressed the charges during a news conference on Friday.
“I hope that (TTC CEO) Mr. Byford and his colleagues are looking for every possible way in which they can make sure that the TTC is safe for everyone who uses it, especially young people…”
“I’m confident it is (safe) but in the wake of all of these events that happen, you re-examine those things to make sure you can make it safer if possible.”
“It’s a disturbing matter, but it will be dealt with in the courts,” Tory said.
