Bundaberg man refused bail after allegedly sexually assaulting woman on Brisbane-Darwin flight

Police allege a man on a flight from Brisbane to Darwin followed a drowsy woman to the back of the plane and then assaulted her while she slept. The man made a bid for bail in court.

A man accused of sexually touching a sleeping woman during a flight from Brisbane to Darwin has faced court. Picture: Che Chorley

A man accused of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman on a flight to Darwin has been denied bail.

On Tuesday afternoon, the 52-year-old Bundaberg defendant, who cannot be legally identified at this stage of proceedings, appeared in Darwin Local Court charged with an act of indecency in the third degree.

The court heard during a flight from Brisbane to Darwin, the date of which was not placed on the public record, the woman moved seats from the front of the plane to back.

Police allege the man, who had been seated about 10 rows behind the victim, about 20 minutes later got up and followed her to the rear of the plane, where he sat across the aisle from her.

He tried to make conversation with the woman, who fell asleep.

Police allege the woman later woke up to the man rubbing his hand on her crotch, outside her clothing.

The offence allegedly took place at the rear of the plane. Picture: File.

In court, the man could be heard repeatedly saying “no” from the dock, as the prosecution read out the allegations.

The court heard the defendant had a criminal history dating back 30 years, with the man having been convicted of assault and armed robbery in 1994 and 1996 respectively.

His lawyer conceded the defendant had “serious matters that are relatively dated,” but submitted he had “no criminal history of sexual-based offending”.

The alleged sexual assault occurred on a flight from Brisbane to Darwin. Picture: Floss Adams.

The man’s lawyer also said his client had been diagnosed with a brain injury and could reside with his Territory-based relatives if granted bail.

Judge Therese Austin said the matter appeared “to be a strong Crown case.”

“I’m not satisfied with the current bail proposal,” she said.

Bail was denied, with the man set to reappear before the court on December 17, for a preliminary examination mention.

Originally published as Bundaberg man refused bail after allegedly sexually assaulting woman on Brisbane-Darwin flight