Race-goer cops prison for groping woman at Rosehill Racecourse

A race-goer who groped a woman at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse has been sent to prison for at least 10 months after a judge scolded him for his “unhealthy sense of entitlement”.

The man grabbed a woman’s groin after approaching her next to a grandstand at the racecourse.

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A race-goer who groped a woman at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse has been sent to prison for at least 10 months after a judge scolded him for his “unhealthy sense of entitlement”.

Nathan Hayden, 41, from Kensington, was sentenced at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday for committing an act of indecency with a person over 16 as well as nine other charges relating to domestic violence and drug offences.

Hayden was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 months, which included seven months for the act of indecency.

The man was arrested after security caught up with him.

Police facts stated he approached a stranger near one of the grandstands at Rosehill Racecourse on September 8, 2018 during a race meet which attracted about 3000 spectators.

He stood in front of the victim before leaning forward and grabbing her vagina on the outside of her dress. The victim pushed Hayden away.

He then went to leave the venue but the woman followed him and notified staff at the racecourse. Security caught up with Hayden and police arrested him.

Magistrate Peter Feather said Hayden’s actions showed “an unhealthy sense of entitlement”.

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Mr Feather took into consideration Hayden’s mental health — including his schizophrenia — and ongoing drug problems when delivering his sentence.

The sentence accounted for 10 offences dating between April 2017 and October 2018 including five charges relating to domestic violence, three drug offences, one destroy or damage property offence, and the act of indecency.

Mr Feather declined to give Hayden an intensive corrections order to serve his sentence in the community, noting a medical report that concluded Hayden had no motivation to stop his drug use.

“Your prospects of rehabilitation (in the community) are very guarded,” Mr Feather said.

“The underlining factor that has led to your offending in the past and recent past is your abuse of methamphetamine.

“It is a hyper stimulant ... it amplifies that propensity toward violence.”

Hayden’s prison sentence has been dated back to begin on October 27, when he was taken into custody, and he will be eligible for parole on August 26, 2019. He has one child.