Paul Leslie Bent: Corrective services officer denies sexual assault claims
Details of the allegations against a corrections officer can be revealed for the first time along with the accused’s name. It is alleged he assaulted three women including kissing, smacking bottoms and grabbing thighs – all without consent.
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A corrective services officer allegedly touched the buttocks of and forced kisses on female staff members while on duty at facilities in western Sydney, court documents have revealed.
Paul Leslie Bent has pleaded not guilty to seven sexual offences including five counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual touching without consent.
Bent, who was stood down this month, is accused of assaulting three women – two co-workers and one court sheriff – at venues in Campbelltown and Penrith between 2013 and February of this year.
The 68-year-old did not appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday having been charged on March 5.
According to police allegations contained in documents tendered to the court, in December 2013 the Eagle Vale man wrapped his arms around one woman “put his hand on her right thigh/upper buttocks and pulled her close to him”.
Police also allege that in July 2014 he leaned in and grabbed a woman’s wrists, who was attempting to block his advances by putting her hands up saying “no”, and forced a kiss on her cheek.
“That is one for the week,” police allege Bent said.
Four of the indecent assault charges relate to kissing the same woman on the cheek, with police alleging Bent was aware she was not consenting.
Police further allege he sexually touched two other women, during incidents in January 2019 and February 2020 respectively, by “striking” their buttocks.
Police arrested Bent on March 5 and he was granted conditional bail to live at his home in Sydney’s southwest.
At the time Corrective Services Investigation Unit Commander, Detective Inspector Rob Hollows said police had taken “swift and appropriate action” after starting an investigation in February.
Bent is due to return to court on May 28.