A LOCAL Uber driver allegedly locked the doors of his car and raped a 20-year-old woman on the Gold Coast.

The 24-year-old Coombabah man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was refused bail in the Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday morning after being charged with rape and assault relating to a shocking incident that allegedly occurred at 1am last Saturday.

Police allege the Indian hospitality student, who had only been driving for the ride-sharing company for two months, locked the woman in his car, reclined her seat and began kissing her before he raped her in the early hours of the morning.

Duty lawyer Sam Jackson, of Bamberry Lawyers, told the court the 24-year-old denied the allegations.

He said the man had no criminal history and the incident “appeared isolated”.

“Evidence of the alleged assault is limited to the complainant,” Mr Jackson said.

However, Magistrate Christopher Callaghan refused the man’s bail application.

“What we have here is a vulnerable woman who was allegedly preyed upon by this young man,” he said.

The man will reappear in Southport Magistrates Court on October 10.