Police claim a man in a wheelchair used his disability to gain access to female
A man in a wheelchair has been banned from a Brisbane suburb if not accompanied by a carer, after he allegedly sexually assaulted four young people there.
Police & Courts
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FOUR young people were sexually assaulted by a man in a wheelchair, a court has heard.
The man, who suffers muscular dystrophy, faced Richlands Magistrates Court today charged with four counts of sexual assault.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Adam McDonald sought strict bail conditions, including that the man not being allowed into Forest Lake without a carer, that he not be in public while intoxicated and that he not approaching persons not known to him.
Sgt McDonald told the court the alleged assaults occurred at Forest Lake over a two-day period.
“He appears to be using his disability to gain the sympathy or attention of young people before assaulting them,” Sgt McDonald said.
One of the incidents, which occurred on July 12, was read to the court.
The man is alleged to have approached a group of people at a barbecue area.
He introduced himself and asked for food and their ages, the court heard.
“The females in the group began to feel uncomfortable during the interactions due to the defendant rubbing their arms and saying things like, ‘I love you, you have to love me back,’ ” Sgt McDonald said.
As the group left, the man is alleged to have approached a 17-year-old girl, pulled her towards him and hugged her.
“As he was hugging her, he moved his hand down towards the complainant’s bottom and squeezed the cheek twice,” Sgt McDonald said.
The man’s case was adjourned to September 2.
Magistrate Adam Simpson released him on bail, subject to strict conditions.
For 24-hour sexual violence support call the national hotline 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or MensLine on 1800 600 636.
