Gold Coast man David James Sharpe charged with sexually touching cognitively impaired person in northern NSW

A Gold Coast man has been charged with three counts of sexually touching a cognitively impaired person against their consent in the Northern Rivers. Here’s what we know.

David James Sharpe, 60, (left) leaves Lismore Court House.

A Gold Coast resident is fighting allegations he sexually touched a person with a cognitively impairment against their consent in northern NSW multiple times over the span of nearly two and a half years.

David James Sharpe faced Lismore Local Court for a hearing after being charged with three counts of aggravated sexual touching of another person without consent.

The 60-year-old man from Nerang allegedly sexually touched the person against their will three times between January 2020 and May 2022, court documents state.

David James Sharpe outside court.

Police allege offending was aggravated because the complainant had a cognitive impairment.

A hearing earlier this month was undertaken in a closed courtroom.

Sharpe was later seen quickly leaving the Lismore court precinct alongside a woman dressed in a black shirt, with glasses, holding a water bottle.

The hearing before Magistrate Michael Dakin is due to continue in February next year.

Originally published as Gold Coast man David James Sharpe charged with sexually touching cognitively impaired person in northern NSW