Cleveland man Dinesh Kumar in court after assaulting schoolgirl
A 61-year-old bayside man says he had a “bad memory” after he followed a 17-year-old school girl on to a train, touched her knee, grabbed her face and squashed it in his hands, a court was told.
Redlands Coast
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A 61-year-old bayside man has faced court after he followed a 17-year-old schoolgirl, dressed in her uniform, on to a train, touching her knee and grabbing her face.
Cleveland’s Dinesh Kumar, 61, was at the Darra railway station on August 31 last year when he saw a 17-year-old girl waiting for a train.
“He sat next to her on a bench and attempted to make small talk (with the schoolgirl),” the police prosecutor told Cleveland Magistrates Court.
“The victim then got on the train, where the defendant followed the victim.
“He turned around, sitting beside her and continued to speak to her, saying, ‘do you want to go fishing with me this weekend’?”
The court heard the girl then called a number on her phone.
“The male touched her right knee twice and then squashed her face.
“He then got off the train, leaving the complainant crying,’’ the prosecutor said.
“The behaviour is quite concerning in regards to the age of the victim.
“This offending is quite significant. No one should be forced to be subjected to this, especially in a public place.”
Kumar pleaded pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault.
His lawyer, Breanna Bowtell, said her client could not remember most of the incident.
“He has advised that he wasn’t trying to upset her and he hadn’t noticed her age or what she was wearing at the time,” Ms Bowtell said.
“He does have quite a bad memory.”
Acting Magistrate Ann Gummow said Kumar’s behaviour was concerning.
“She is 17. That’s still a child,” Ms Gummow said.
“I hope this is a bit of a wakeup call for you. This is verging on scary.
“What saves you is that you’ve got nothing in your history that is similar.”
Kumar was put on a good behaviour bond of $500 for 18 months.
No convictions were recorded.
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