Richard John Strano jailed for groping child girl at Coles in Buddina
A young child has retold her trauma after she was indecently touched by a middle-aged man at a popular Sunshine Coast supermarket in broad daylight.
Police & Courts
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An autistic child has spoken about the ongoing trauma she has felt after being groped by a middle-aged man when she became separated from her mum in Coles.
Richard John Strano had been lurking in the supermarket aisles in Buddina on March 6, 2021 when he touched the 10-year-old girl, causing grief to the child and the rest of her family in the fallout.
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Maroochydore District Court heard the child, who suffers from autism, had separated from her mum and sister and had been alone in the aisle with Strano.
Crown prosecutor Joana Dias said the then 39-year-old Dicky Beach man then came up behind her and grabbed and squeezed her on the bottom.
Ms Dias said he let out a loud groan or grunt, with the child turning around and smiling uncomfortably at the older man before she found her mum.
The court was told the mum then looked at Strano who was “lurking nearby” in the aisles before he left.
A police complaint was made with Strano arrested and interviewed by officers.
During the interview the now 40-year-old told police he was trying to let her know he was behind her.
The interview was cut short however due to police discovering the Dicky Beach man had a mental illness.
In a victim impact statement read out to the court, the child said she felt “violated and scared” after the incident and still sees his face and hears his groan more than a year on.
Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown told the court Strano suffered from schizophrenia, tendering doctors reports suggesting he made poor choices due to his chronic mental illness.
Judge Glen Cash said it was “concerning” behaviour but agreed with the defence there were exceptional circumstances as to why he wouldn’t serve any time in custody, including his mental illness and lack of criminal history.
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Strano pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child and was jailed for three months, suspended for one year.
A conviction was recorded.
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