School groundskeeper, Sibara Baragud, on trial for child sex offences

A school groundskeeper accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a young girl allegedly bought her a necklace before he assaulted her, a court has heard.

Cairns Courthouse. Photo: Brendan Radke

A school groundskeeper accused of grooming and sexually assaulting a young girl allegedly bought her a necklace before he assaulted her, a court has heard.

Sibara Baragud, 62, pleaded not guilty to two charges of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one of grooming a child under 16 with the intent to procure a sexual act in Cairns on Monday.

Crown Prosecutor Tim Watkins told the court Mr Baragud was a trusted member of the community, but on a day in 2020, he approached the girl in her early teens outside her home.

“He presented her a necklace for her birthday and she put it away inside,” Mr Watkins said.

He then told the court the two then walked together, with the defendant putting his hand on her lower back before he inappropriately touched the girl.

Judge Joshua Trevino KC will preside over the trial of Sibara Baragud who is charged with two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one count of grooming a child under 16.

Mr Watkins said Mr Baragud asked the girl if she wanted to go into a nearby shed with him which she declined.

Mr Baragud returned to the girl’s home a couple weeks later, the court heard.

“He asked her if she wanted a dog, if she wanted $50 dollars, and if she wanted to play with him,” Mr Watkins said.

The court was told she pretended to be sick for a week to avoid Mr Baragud.

Defence Counsel Kelly Goodwin addressed the jury before they were presented with evidence from witnesses.

He told them the Crown’s case will rise and fall on the evidence of the complainant.

“As you hear the evidence you will realise there is no other direct evidence that supports the allegations,” he said.

He asked them to scrutinise her evidence and consider its reliability and her credibility.

“Please keep an open mind and pay close attention to the evidence [of the complainant]. It is by scrutinising her evidence that you will make the final determination,” Mr Goodwin said.

The court was closed on Monday afternoon as the jury heard prerecorded evidence from the complainant with further witnesses to give evidence in the coming days of what is expected to be a four day trial.

Judge Joshua Trevino KC will preside over the proceedings.

Originally published as School groundskeeper, Sibara Baragud, on trial for child sex offences