Man in court after woman allegedly sexually assaulted in Adelaide Aquatic Centre spa
A TAXI driver sexually assaulted a stranger in a spa at one of Adelaide’s most popular swimming centres while the woman was asleep after an afternoon swim, a court has heard.
A TAXI driver sexually assaulted a stranger in a spa at one of Adelaide’s most popular swimming centres while the woman was asleep after an afternoon swim, a court has heard.
The married father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, committed an “opportunistic and brazen” attack on the woman, 27, at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre at the weekend, prosecutors alleged.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard how the driver allegedly performed a sex act on the woman and groped her breast after she fell asleep.
The court heard the 60-year-old man from Adelaide’s northeastern suburbs was recorded on “good quality” security cameras.
He has yet to plead to charges including engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without consent and indecent assault.
The father-of-two would contest the charges, his lawyer said.
During a bail application, the court heard the man drove his taxi to the North Adelaide pool, on Fitzroy Tce, on Sunday.
His alleged victim, who also cannot be identified, had used the centre’s main pool for 15 minutes before she walked to the spa area.
Opposing bail, police prosecutor Fred Wojtasik told the court there were at least eight other people in the spa.
The woman then fell asleep for a short time before she woke and sent her partner a text message just before 4.30pm.
Mr Wojtasik said the woman fell asleep again but was woken by a sharp pain as she allegedly felt the “old man” performing a sex act on her.
He was startled and then fled, the court heard, but the alleged victim was able to give a detailed description to police detectives, who arrived at the centre at 5.25pm.
Police have watched footage from the centre’s CCTV cameras, including one located above the spa, and the court heard it supported the victim’s statement.
The man, whose identity will remain secret until he formally enters his pleas, was arrested at his home, which he shares with his wife and children. He has declined to speak to detectives.
Mr Wojtasik opposed bail because of the strength of the prosecution case, the “seriousness” of the offence, the age of the victim and the man’s alleged “opportunistic and brazen behaviour”. He later said police would not oppose home-detention bail.
Duty solicitor Christine Chrisakis said the man had to pay $1000 a week for his taxi licence and supported his family as his wife worked part-time.
Magistrate Simon Smart ordered a home detention report and will decide whether to release the man next month.