Belarusian Adelaide Festival performer Aleh Sidorchyk fined for assaulting woman on plane

A new twist has emerged in the case against a “heavily intoxicated” international Festival performer, who touched a woman on a flight en route to Adelaide.

Aleh Sidorchyk performs in the Belarus Free Theatre production of King Lear. Picture: Belarus Free Theatre

An intoxicated Adelaide Festival artist who touched a “vulnerable” woman on a flight en route to Adelaide to perform has been fined for the act which “invaded her privacy”.

Exiled Belarusian Aleh Sidorchyk, 62, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday where a charge of committing an act of indecency without consent was withdrawn, in favour of a charge of assault.

He pleaded guilty to the assault charge and has been fined $750.

In sentencing, Magistrate Ben Sale said Sidorchyk touched a woman seated next to him two to three times on the mid-thigh over a blanket on February 25 this year.

“The victim was scared by your actions and in her mind she felt that she was being touched in a sexual way,” he said.

But, he said there was “no indecency” in the offence to which Sidorchyk had pleaded guilty.

Belarusian performer Aleh Sidorchyk outside court after an earlier hearing. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

The woman was moved and Sidorchyk was arrested on arrival in Adelaide.

Sidorchyk was due to perform in the Belarusian Free Theatre production Dogs of Europe as part of the Adelaide Festival.

Mr Sale said Sidorchyk did not recall the incident and had “drank heavily” before and on the flight.

Mr Sale said Sidorchyk was arrested and became a political prisoner in 2010 in the lead-up to Belarusian elections and later fled to London where he now resides.

Sidorchyk had earlier apologised to the court for the offending and causing the victim to be fearful.