Harry Peros: Taren Point man charged with shoving hand down schoolboy’s shorts

A schoolboy on his way to a bus stop was confronted by a man who allegedly shoved his hand down the boy’s shorts, Manly Local Court has heard.

A man charged with shoving his hands down a schoolboy’s shorts near a busy bus stop has been granted bail by a Sydney court.

Harry Peros, 42, allegedly groped the 17-year-old high school student in the middle of the day near a north shore cafe filled with lunchtime diners.

Police will allege in court that Mr Peros, a truck driver from Taren Point, approached the boy as he walked to a bus stop on Falcon St at Crows Nest about 1.50pm on March 1.

Police allege the schoolboy was approached as he walked to a bus stop on Falcon St, Crows Nest, on March 1. Picture: News Corp

Manly Local Court heard on Thursday that Mr Peros allegedly began making sexually suggestive comments to the schoolboy and attempted to kiss and hug the boy before he allegedly put his hands down the boys shorts.

Mr Peros was charged with one count of sexually touch person without consent. He is yet to enter a plea.

During a bail application, Magistrate Louise McManus said the police facts stated that Mr Peros “appeared intoxicated” at the time.

His solicitor Lesly Bewsher said he should be granted bail because the alleged offence was an “isolated incident” and Mr Peros had no similar offences on his police record.

“He’s 42 years old. He’s never done this before,” Ms Bewsher said.

Police prosecutor Scott Williams opposed Mr Peros being released from custody over concerns he may commit similar offences while on bail.

“This is seemingly an unprovoked attack on a child simply wanting to get on a bus,” Sgt Williams said. “He placed his hands down a young person’s shorts.”

A bail document tendered to court stated that Mr Peros allegedly inappropriately touched the boy “for an extended period of time whilst the victim was trying to get away”.

Harry Peros will be back in Manly Local Court on April 7. Picture: Monique Harmer

Magistrate McManus, who described the alleged incident as “brazen”, granted Mr Peros, who was appearing in court via an audiovisual link form the Metropolitan remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater, strict conditional bail.

She ordered that he can only leave the home he shares with his mother with either his mother, father or one of his two sisters.

Mr Peros will be back in Manly court on April 7 for mention.