Bijay Koirala, of Dee Why: Man, 33, convicted of touching 13-year-old boy’s leg near beach

A man who got drunk because he missed his wife living overseas has been convicted of repeatedly touching a 13-year-old schoolboy’s leg at a Sydney beach. See what happened in court.

Bijay Koirala (right), 33, of Dee Why outside Manly Local Court with his solicitor. Koirala, who was drunk a the time, was convicted of common assault for touching a boy, 13, on the leg near Dee Why Beach. Picture: Manly Daily

A man got drunk, because he missed his wife who was living overseas, and then repeatedly touched a 13-year-old schoolboy’s thigh near a popular Sydney beach.

Bijay Koirala, 33, who had been drinking in a beachside park at Dee Why to help cope with the separation from his spouse, approached the year 8 student who was with three mates on The Strand.

Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday that Koirala, who lives in Dee Why and is in Australia from Nepal on a student visa, just wanted to talk to the boy, but ended up grabbing the 13-year-old by the arm when he tried to get away.

He had knelt in front of the sitting boy and touched his thigh 10 times in a “gentle patting motion” outside the IGA supermarket before the boy shouted “don’t touch me”.

Bijay Koirala, 33, of Dee Why outside Manly Local Court on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, where he is facing charges of assaulting and then stalking and intimidating a 13-year-old boy at Dee Why.

The court heard that Koirala, who kept saying “please, please” and “we are friends” to the boy, was depressed because his wife of four years could not join him in Sydney due to ongoing visa issues.

Magistrate Robyn Dene, who convicted Koirala after he pleaded guilty to one count of common assault, told him that “you can’t touch young people”.

“You don’t need to go and talk with 13- or 14-year olds.

“They’re minding their own business … they don’t want to talk to a drunk 30-year-old.

“And you touched one on the leg.”

Bijay Koirala repeatedy touched a boy’s leg while he was sitting outside a supermarket on The Strand (right) at Dee Why Beach. Picture: Nanly Daily

Ms Denes told Koirala that his actions amounted to “criminal conduct”.

“What you did was wrong and it’s important that you, and the community, understand that.

“You wouldn’t want someone random coming up to touch you.

“People need to keep their hands to themselves.”

In a facts sheet tendered to court police stated that Koirala was intoxicated after drinking from a 750ml bottle of Absolut vodka, which he mixed with Coca Cola, from about 12.30pm on February 14.

When questioned by police, he Saud he could not remember the incident.

The court was told he has stopped drinking, was undergoing counselling for alcohol use and was ashamed of his conduct.

Ms Denes handed Koirala a Community Corrections Order to be of good behaviour for 12 months.