Accused Glenfield masturbator to undergo mental health check

A Glenfield man accused of stalking a schoolgirl while masturbating in Sydney’s south west yesterday has been sent to undergo a mental health assessment at Campbelltown Hospital.

• DISMISSED: Indecent assault charges withdrawn against teacher
• Premier’s plan to plant one million trees

A Glenfield man accused of stalking a schoolgirl while masturbating in Sydney’s south west has been sent to undergo a mental health assessment at Campbelltown Hospital.

Ben Anthony O’Connor, 39, allegedly committed sexual acts on himself while he followed a 13-year-old girl walking home from school in Glenfield on Monday afternoon.

The Glenfield man briefly appeared by audiovisual link in Campbelltown Local Court this afternoon, dressed in a blue jumper and red shirt.

When told by Magistrate Shane McAnulty that he would be undergoing a mental health assessment, O’Connor said ‘no worries your Honour’.

Police allege the man called out to a 13-year-old girl about about 3.15pm on Monday as she walked home from school while committing sexual acts on himself.

The young teenager started to run away from the man down a laneway but he followed her as she walked along Trafalgar St.

She contacted her mother who called police as the girl sought refuge in a nearby home.

Officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command arrived at the home a short time later but the man had run away.

After speaking with the 13-year-old girl, police conducted an extensive search nearby and arrested the man on Railway Pde just before 4.30pm.

The man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he is alleged to have continued masturbating in the custody area.

He was charged with intentionally do sexual act with a child aged between 10 and 16, stalk or intimidate with an intent to cause fear or physical harm, carry out sexual act with another without consent and fail to comply with reporting obligations.