Northern suburbs man charged with sexually assaulting teenage girl fronts Supreme Court for bail review

A man who allegedly sexually assaulted his partner’s teenage sister was busted making “completely inappropriate” hand gestures in court – in front of a stunned judge.

A northern suburbs father of three who allegedly sexually abused his partner’s teenage sister has received a stern warning from a judge after making “completely inappropriate” hand gestures to supporters in court.

The 29-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday in front of Justice Sandi McDonald for a bail review.

His hearing was derailed after Justice McDonald observed him blowing kisses at his partner through the video camera.

Justice McDonald told the man’s defence lawyer David Moen his client was making “hand gestures … that were completely inappropriate”.

“If he can’t control himself in this environment, how could I be sure he could control himself in a less restrictive environment?” she asked.

“I’m sorry, Your Honour, my partner was just trying to tell me something that I was trying to relate to Mr Moen,” the defendant said.

“Well, that’s completely inappropriate,” Justice McDonald said. “In fact, if your partner is doing that, then perhaps she should leave the courtroom.”

In court documents released to The Advertiser, SA Police allege the 28-year-old man had been sexually communicating with a young teenage girl over a two-week period in August last year.

Police allege the man had touched the teenager “three to four times in “three to four days” while were they together in a car. He is yet to enter any pleas.

The man appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

The documents further allege the man messaged the girl with sexual requests.

The girl allegedly told police the man would message her “random things,” and on one occasion, he messaged her offering to pay her $300 to touch his genitalia.

In September last year, the man was granted bail in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court, but since then prosecution alleged he made repeated attempts to interfere with their case by dissuading a witness while on bail.

“He has allegedly made consistent attempts for the two complainants to withdraw their statements and he’s done so whilst he’s been on bail in the past and even now whilst he’s been in custody,” the prosecution said.

Justice McDonald told Mr Moen that was one “serious aspect” of his client’s behaviour.

“Obviously the set of offences itself is serious – but one offence of attempting to dissuade a witness is serious,” Justice McDonald said.

“What I’m seeing. Mr Moen, is a man who can’t help himself but go back over and over again to attempt to end these proceedings in a way that is completely unlawful.”

The court heard the accused had made phone calls from prison to one of his friends in an attempt to “pervert the course of justice”.

The bail review was adjourned until later this month.

Originally published as Northern suburbs man charged with sexually assaulting teenage girl fronts Supreme Court for bail review