Pattrick Salame: Shalvey man admits to sexual touching charge

A man who has faced court over a sexual touching offence at a busy train station had told police he “did not think it was a big deal”.

A man has admitted to slapping a woman’s bottom at a western Sydney train station in front of shocked commuters before running from the scene.

Pattrick Salame, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual touching without consent during a brief appearance at Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday.

According to police, the Shalvey man had got off the train at Westmead station on the afternoon of January 25 when he approached the woman from behind.

The woman was walking up the stairs to the station concourse when she felt Salame slap her bottom.

Pattrick Salame leaves Mt Druitt Local Court on Wednesday.

In shock, the woman looked behind her and saw Salame casually walking away without saying a word.

She alerted an elderly man who witnessed the incident and pointed out Salame as he rushed off.

Station staff were also advised and went searching for Salame as he ran past and fled the station.

Police said the incident was captured on CCTV footage. Salame was arrested at his workplace almost one month later and charged.

Westmead train station. Picture: Google Maps

During a police interview, Salame told officers he wasn’t thinking when he touched the woman and “did not think it was such a big deal”.

He appeared without a lawyer at court and requested his sentence be adjourned so he could seek legal advice.

“This is a serious matter,” Magistrate Bree Chisholm said.

He will be sentenced in June.