Uber Driver Faces Job Loss After Stun Gun Found on Dashboard

A 39-year-old Uber driver, Jomon Perumayan Joseph, has lost his job and had his passenger licence suspended after a homemade stun gun was discovered on his vehicle’s dashboard during a routine traffic stop last year. The incident took place in New Plymouth on 13 November, when Joseph was pulled over by police for an unrelated traffic matter.

Police found a “cylindrical device with two metal probes” on the dashboard of Joseph’s car. An expert examination confirmed the device was a homemade stun gun, capable of delivering a severe electric shock and potentially rendering a person incapable of resistance. Joseph was charged with unlawful possession of a restricted weapon and admitted to creating the device as an experiment.

During his court appearance in New Plymouth District Court, Joseph applied for a discharge without conviction. Judge Ajit Swaran Singh acknowledged Joseph’s claim that the stun gun was made as a hobby and that he had no intention of using it on anyone. However, the judge emphasized that while drivers may have legitimate concerns about their safety, carrying weapons is not an acceptable solution.

“Understandably their concern is self-protection in the event of being attacked. That is quite a common feature in a lot of offending. Be that as it may, you must understand that having weapons is not acceptable ... there are better ways of dealing with situations,” the judge said.

The judge noted that Joseph had already faced consequences, including losing his job as an Uber driver and the suspension of his passenger licence. Affidavits from Joseph, his wife, an immigration expert, and a presentence report were considered in the court’s decision. The report indicated Joseph poses a low risk of reoffending and expressed genuine remorse.

The judge also highlighted concerns that a conviction could impact Joseph’s future in New Zealand and his potential migration to Australia. Despite these factors, the court did not grant a discharge without conviction, leaving the case with potential long-term consequences for Joseph.

This incident has sparked discussions about the safety of drivers in the gig economy and the balance between personal security and legal compliance. While the judge acknowledged the challenges drivers face, the court remains firm in its stance that carrying restricted weapons is not an acceptable course of action.