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Sydney man to front court after alleged groping incident on flight

A man has been arrested after allegedly touching a woman on the thigh and buttock during a flight bound from Los Angeles.

Australian Federal Police have charged a Sydney man with one count of act of indecency without consent after an airline crew reported he allegedly touched a woman inappropriately on the thigh and buttock while she tried to sleep during a flight bound from Los Angeles.

The man, 36, had allegedly moved seats to sit in the same row as the woman, whom he did not know.

The man allegedly touched a woman inappropriately on the thigh and buttock while she tried to sleep. Picture: AFP
The man allegedly touched a woman inappropriately on the thigh and buttock while she tried to sleep. Picture: AFP

When crew members became aware of the alleged incident, they moved the woman to a different section of the aircraft for the remainder of the flight.

The incident occurred on an overnight United Airlines flight UA839 from Los Angeles to Sydney on May 29, 2025.

Upon landing, the AFP met the aircraft, interviewed the man and witnesses and issued him with a court attendance notice for one count of committing an act of indecency without consent.

This offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment if convicted.

AFP Detective Inspector Dom Stephenson said all reports of inappropriate or criminal conduct, whether on the ground or in the air, were taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

“No one on an aircraft should feel unsafe because of the behaviour of other travellers and if someone has committed an offence, the AFP will take action,” Inspector Stephenson said.

The man is expected to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

More to come

Originally published as Sydney man to front court after alleged groping incident on flight

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/sydney-man-to-front-court-after-alleged-groping-incident-on-flight/news-story/2b4567cbbdbf22297e3236cca755e1aa