Michael Burke: sailor convicted of groping, spanking, female sailors

A high-ranking sailor has been convicted of a series of lewd acts committed at a Hobart bar. Find out what happened.

A high ranking sailor has been convicted of a series of lewd acts — including picking up a female sailor and slapping her bum, and groping the breasts of another female navy member — committed during a night out in Hobart.

Chief Petty Officer Michael Burke, 37, pleaded guilty to three counts of prejudicial conduct, an act of indecency, an act of indecency in the third degree and assaulting a subordinate when he appeared at the Defence Force Magistrate’s Court in Canberra on Wednesday.

The charges against him relate to four complainants — three subordinate female sailors and one civilian woman.

Defence Force Magistrate Major General Michael Cowan accepted Burke’s guilty pleas, and convicted him of all six charges.

According to the agreed facts read out in court on February 10, 2022 a number of sailors were on shore leave and went to the Cargo Bar in Battery Point, Hobart.

Michael Burke has pleaded guilty to six charges including a charge of an act of indecency without consent at the Defence Force Magistrates court in Canberra. Picture: LinkedIn

At about 9pm that night Burke approached a female sailor and said words to the effect of “do you want to have sex with me”.

The woman reportedly laughed in response to his proposition.

Soon after Burke approached two female sailors who were sitting in a booth at the bar.

Burke attempted to put his arm around the women multiple times.

One woman said “no” repeatedly and then Burke asked to speak to her in private where he said words to the effect of “You are hot — I find you attractive”.

Later that night Burke picked up a third female sailor, before slapping her buttocks one time without her consent.

The agreed facts state Burke later followed the first woman to the female toilet.

While in the bathroom he pushed her to the wall of a cubicle using his right hand against her chest.

He attempted to close the cubicle door and began to fondle the woman’s breasts without her consent.

Shortly after a civilian woman, who was out with the group of sailors that night, entered the bathroom and opened the ajar cubicle door where she was confronted by the scene.

Michael Burke (right) leaves the Defence Force Magistrates Court with a supporter on August 31 2022. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The civilian woman said words to the effect of “get the f**k out” and “this is the girl’s toilets”.

Burke replied to the woman saying words to the effect of “she’s a really good sailor”.

Later that night Burke rubbed his hand up the leg of the same civilian woman, who then introduced him to her husband to get him to stop.

The first sailor, whose breasts were groped by Burke, reported having bruises as a result of the incident.

“No young sailor or woman should fear being objectified,” the prosecutor said.

He told the court Burke had served in the ADF since June 2003, and was terminated from his role before charges were laid against him.

The prosecuting officer told the court at the time of the incident, he had ended a six month formal warning, which was in relation to bullying and harassment.

Additionally the court heard Burke had previous service convictions on his record.

Burke will appear again at the Defence Force Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where Major General Cowan is expected to hand down his sentence.