Ronald Betham, 40, Park Ridge in Logan court for sexually assaulting drunk, sleeping woman

A 40-year-old Logan chef’s predatory sexual assault of a sleeping woman, while they were drunk at a party, has been revealed in court.

Ronald Betham, 40 outside Beenleigh Magistrates Court.

A 40-year-old Logan chef’s predatory sexual assault of a sleeping woman, while they were drunk at a party, has been revealed in court.

Ronald Betham was at a surprise party and the female host got very drunk and went to sleep in her bed, Beenleigh District Court heard on Friday, July 21.

Betham then went into the room and lay down next to the woman before the assault, in July 2021.

The court heard the victim woke up and Betham was touching her vagina, yelled at him to stop and told him to get out of her room.

The Park Ridge man then fell asleep on her floor before he was kicked out of the house by the victim’s partner.

Betham went to drive away and the victim punched his car, injuring her hand.

He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault.

In a victim impact statement tendered to the court, she spoke of the negative emotional and financial impacts the abuse had on her.

She said she would never forgive Betham.

Betham was interviewed by police but gave an alternative explanation of the evening, claiming the woman came onto him initially and he did not go into her room.

He conceded later that he was disgusted by his actions and was extremely remorseful, despite his memory of the night being cloudy.

The court heard Betham moved to Australia from Auckland at age 21 and he worked as a chef and labourer.

He faced deportation to New Zealand if handed a heavy prison sentence.

Judge Deborah Holiday said the victim was vulnerable at the time which made the offending more serious.

“This was disgraceful conduct and caused trauma to the victim. It was serious offending,” she said.

“She was vulnerable at the time, asleep in her own bed and there was protracted skin on skin contact.

“It was a borderline decision whether you should serve actual custody.”

Betham was sentenced to 18 months’ prison, wholly suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to pay $5000 in compensation to the victim.