A man who was awarded the province’s first ride-sharing licence, but had it revoked over sexual assault allegations, has been acquitted of all those charges.

The verdict was handed down by Justice Glen Noel in Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court late Thursday.

Forty-four-year-old Yosief Tesfamicael was facing six charges, including sexual assault and interference, invitation to sexual touching, making sexually explicit material available to a child, and exposing himself.

His Redsea Riding company had been awarded the first ride-sharing licence earlier this year, which was promptly cancelled once officials caught wind of the charges.

The judge’s oral decision took about four hours to get through yesterday, since a translator had to repeat each sentence for the accused and others in the courtroom.

Tesfamicael arrived in Canada from the African country of Eritrea in 2012.

It’s not clear if he will re-apply for another ride-sharing licence now that he has been cleared of all charges.