Rape accused Dylan Lloyd pleads guilty to indecent assault, unlawful sexual intercourse of child

A man accused of the daylight sexual assault of a 12-year-old child on a train last month has had his case called on early to enter pleas.

A young man accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl on a train last month has pleaded guilty to two offences.

Dylan Lloyd, 21, of Aldinga Beach appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court six months earlier than scheduled to enter pleas of guilty to a charge of indecent assault and unlawful sexual intercourse. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

However, he did not enter a plea to a third charge of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person without consent, which carries a maximum jail term of life.

The court heard the Director of Public Prosecutors was yet to make a charge determination about that count, but sought to do so by early May.

Andrew Williams, for Lloyd, told the court his client would then consider any pleas to that charge.

All three offences are alleged to have been committed against the same child, on an Adelaide-bound Seaford line train about 5pm on January 11.

At an earlier hearing last month, police prosecutor Sergeant Sally Francis told the court that Lloyd had approached the girl after she got on the Adelaide-bound train at Christies Beach.

Dylan Lloyd from his high school year book. Picture: Supplied

She said Lloyd was alleged to have started kissing and then sexually assaulted the child – who was not known to him – in a “sustained” incident.

“The victim describes that she froze… she was in a complete state of panic – she didn’t quite know what to do,” Sergeant Francis said.

“She was trying to get eye contact with other passengers on the train.”

The court had heard CCTV on the train had captured Lloyd kissing and putting his arm around the child and following her “very closely” as she exited at the Marion station.

A member of the public then helped the upset girl and contacted police.

Police allege Lloyd was linked to the incident through his MetroCard, which he used to catch another train. Police also allege they found clothes, a bag and shoes at his home consistent with what was depicted on the CCTV when he was arrested the next day.

The court heard the child later gave a detailed interview with police and had identified Lloyd as her alleged attacker.

Lloyd’s early guilty pleas may mean he is eligible for a discount when he is sentenced.

Magistrate Brian Nitschke remanded Lloyd in custody and adjourned the case until May.