Canadian law student Grant Zhong to be deported from Australia over indecent assault of cabin crew aboard international flight

A Canadian law student has been cleared of allegations he indecently assaulted two flight attendants on an international flight, due to his ongoing mental health issues.

The Canadian student will now be deported.

• Canadian ‘indecently assaulted cabin crew’ on Hong Kong flight

A Canadian law student has been cleared of allegations he indecently assaulted two flight attendants on an international flight, due to his ongoing mental health issues.

However Grant Zhong, 28, will now be transferred from a secure mental health facility to an immigration detention centre, where he will be held until he is deported.

In January, Zhong was restrained and handcuffed aboard a flight from Hong Kong to Adelaide after he allegedly performed indecent acts toward aircraft staff.

He was arrested upon his arrival in SA and has been held at James Nash House ever since.

On Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard forensic psychologists had concluded Zhong was affected by mental illness at the time, but had since “stabilised”.

Counsel for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and for Zhong jointly asked the charges be dismissed, so that his deportation could be expedited.

James Nash House staff, appearing by video link, asked Zhong be required to continue taking his medication and be further assessed upon his return to Canada.

Magistrate Jeff Fahey dismissed the charges and remanded Zhong in custody, pending his transfer to immigration detention.

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