Hamzeh Bahrami pleads guilty to sexually assaulting young girl in Blair Athol park public toilet
The man responsible for the brutal sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl in a Blair Athol park public toilet can now be unmasked for the first time. Picture: 9 News
The man who sexually assaulted a young girl in a Blair Athol public toilet has been unmasked after pleading guilty to the crime.
Hamzeh Bahrami, 32, of Blair Athol pleaded guilty to an aggravated count of indecent assault in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, after a plea deal was struck with prosecutors for two counts of rape to be dropped.
He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated indecent assault and one count of unlawful detention.
Because of his pleas, statutory orders suppressing his identity automatically lapsed, allowing The Advertiser to now name and show him.
The 10-year-old girl was lured into the toilet block and sexually assaulted at Blair Athol Reserve, Leslie Ave, between 5pm and 5.30pm on April 3 this year while soccer training was under way nearby.
The matter, which was due to return to court next month, was called on early for Bahrami to enter the latest plea.
Outside court Nick Vadasz, for Bahrami, said his client was sorry for his actions.
“Mr Bahrami has pleaded guilty at the very earliest opportunity and is extremely remorseful about his behaviour and the effect it’s had on the community and the victim’s family,” he said.
He said he would not comment on the plea deal, but would instead address the matter in court.
“I will make submissions about how he is feeling in court rather than in the press, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Police previously described the crime as “abhorrent” and said they were inspired by the young girl’s courage.
Her mother had told The Advertiser the girl’s mouth and eyes were covered by tape and her hands bound behind her head during the horrific attack.
She said her daughter was told to wash her hands afterwards.
Two weeks after the crime, police wrongly arrested and charged a 29-year-old father over the alleged assault but the charges were withdrawn and he was released unconditionally less than 24 hours later.
Detectives then swiftly swooped on the second man and charged him later the same day after DNA test results became available.
Police have not said what led to the second man’s arrest but the fact he was charged so quickly indicates he is closely linked to the first man by DNA.
He will next appear in the District Court in October.
