Gary David Reid convicted of common assault after touching young girl’s thigh

A 72-year-old man has fronted court after he touched a young girl on the thigh and called her “sexy” when she was volunteering at a golf club event.

Gary David Reid leaving the Maroochydore Courthouse on May 27, 2024.

An elderly man asked a young girl what was under her skirt and called her “sexy” during an encounter at a golf club, a court has heard.

Gary David Reid, 72, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on May 27 to one count of common assault.

Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris told the court the 15-year-old victim had volunteered at a Gladstone golf club with her parents on Australia Day this year and Reid had approached the family sitting at the bar.

She said he had hugged the girl and her younger sibling upon arrival.

Reid waited until her parents were gone before he squeezed the girl’s upper thigh and whispered something into her ear which she did not catch.

After moving away from him, she found herself alone with Reid again.

Gary David Reid leaving the Maroochydore Courthouse on May 27, 2024.

“The defendant was looking the victim child up and down,” Sergeant Grigoris said.

The court heard Reid had told the girl “I like you in a skirt, you should wear it more often”.

Sergeant Grigoris said Reid had asked what she was wearing underneath the skirt and the girl explained she had leggings underneath as it was a sports skirt.

She told the court Reid responded saying he would like to see her without it and the girl left again.

Sergeant Grigoris told the court he approached the young girl and said “hey sexy” and “hey, can I call you sexy” to which the girl ignored.

He continued to make comments to her including compliments over her hair colour whilst playing with her hair, the court heard.

When the man parted with the girl’s family, he hugged the girl and sibling again, before hugging the victim a second time, the court heard.

He whispered “I love you” into her ear each time.

Gary David Reid leaving the Maroochydore Courthouse on May 27, 2024.

Defence lawyer Alex Collins told the court Reid, who has retired, was drinking heavily during the period of the offence and had downed 15 drinks that day.

Now living in Maroochydore with a relative, Reid has also started to attend sessions with a psychiatrist, Mr Collins said.

Acting magistrate Anna Smith said she could not sentence Reid over the sexual connotation of the defence as he was not charged with sexual assault.

“Haven’t the police shot themselves in the foot by under charging?” Ms Smith said.

“I don’t know why he’s not charged with an indecent dealing.”

She fined him $2000 and a conviction was recorded.