Samuel Passlacqua sentenced after sexually touching Bunnings Warehouse Pymble worker

A man reassured a Bunnings worker that “it was OK” as he sexually groped him at the mega hardware store on Sydney’s north shore.

Samuel Passlacqua pleaded guilty to sexually touching another person without consent, stalk / intimidate intend and failing to appear with bail acknowledgment.

A Bunnings worker was given the shock of his life after a man entered the store, lifted his apron and sexually touched him.

Samuel Passlacqua, 61, pleaded guilty to sexually touching another person without consent, stalk/ intimidate and failing to appear with his bail acknowledgment.

Police facts state Passalacqua entered Pymble Bunnings before asking a store worker bizarre questions, such as if Bunnings had “supplied his pants and underwear”.

Passalacqua, from Normanhurst, then got close to the victim, before lifting the victim’s apron and putting his hands in the pouch.

“Passalacqua reached for the worker’s groin, grabbing the victim’s penis and testicles,” police facts state.

Bunnings Warehouse at Pymble.

The victim pushed Passalacqua back and told the man off, as captured on CCTV.

“You can’t do that,” the victim said to Passalacqua.

Passalacqua replied, “it’s OK” as the horrified victim told him to leave.

The worker confided in his employees and Passalacqua was arrested last year on November 9 after police seized the CCTV footage.

Passalacqua told police the worker had been unhelpful and “threatening”.

“He made gestures to his groin area,” Passalacqua told police, according to tendered documents.

Samuel Passlacqua leaving Hornsby Local Court.

Passalacqua told police he “wanted the victim to get away from him”.

“I touched him in an area he seemed uncomfortable with,” he told police, according to documents.

The court heard Passalacqua had suffered with mental health issues the past 30 years but was getting support.

Magistrate Alexander Mijvoich said Passalacqua caused severe discomfort and distress to the victim.

“It’s very troubling – a young person working in Bunnings should not have to deal with this,” Mr Mijovich said.

Mr Mijovich said had it not been for Passalacqua’s limited criminal record, he may have found himself behind bars.

“Someone went to jail just yesterday for this charge,” he said.

Passalacqua was convicted and sentenced to a two year community correction order.