Anthony Castelnuovo has partial appeal win on sexual touching convictions

A disgraced Sydney hairdresser with a decades-long history of sexual misconduct has had a partial appeal win, with a judge ruling there was “insufficient evidence” on some of his convictions.

Asquith hairdresser Anthony Castelnuovo. Picture: File

A disgraced upper north shore hairdresser convicted of sexually abusing clients across multiple decades has had two of his most serious convictions thrown out – but the elderly man remains under strict court orders.

Anthony Castelnuovo, 72, successfully appealed two counts of sexual assault with an act of indecency against a person under 16 in Sydney District Court on Friday, with Judge Lara Gallagher ruling “insufficient evidence”.

Despite the partial win, Castelnuovo’s remaining convictions – including 16 counts of sexually touching without consent, four of indecent assault, and three of intentionally sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16 – still stand.

This publication previously reported the charges relate to at least a dozen victims, with a magistrate citing the “most serious” allegation as involving a 15-year-old girl.

The offences stretched across four decades, with Castelnuovo touching women’s’ breasts and buttocks while under the guise of hairdressing at his Asquith salon.

Anthony Castelnuovo was a hairdresser at Vision Hair Team Asquith. Picture: File

Following his arrest in November 2021, and an almost two week-long hearing in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court in 2023, Castelnuovo was ultimately found guilty and sentenced to two years behind bars.

However, his stay in full time custody was short lived, with his first of three appeals being submitted just hours after handcuffs were applied.

The immediate appeal following his sentence was ultimately upheld, with bail being granted by Magistrate Brett Shields.

He was instead sentenced to a three-year community corrections order, which remains in place until February 20, 2027.

A second appeal was lodged, but ultimately withdrawn, before Friday’s appeal against the two counts of indecency against a person under 16.

Represented by Kirk Dailly, Castelnuovo’s appeal was granted and the two convictions were quashed.

The 72-year-old’s other convictions remain in place.

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