Shannon Petersen charged with sexually touching teenage girl on train between Blacktown, St Mary’s

A roofer has been accused of preying on a 13-year-old girl on a train in Sydney’s west, allegedly asking the teenager to kiss him before sexually touching her.

St Marys Railway Station, where the alleged victim ran from a train to alert police. Picture: Google

A roofer allegedly preyed on a teenage girl on a train in Sydney’s west, where a court has heard claims he called her “beautiful” and asked her to kiss him on the cheek before inappropriately touching her.

Shannon Petersen, 42, faced Penrith Local Court via video link from the Amber Laurel Correctional Centre on Tuesday, when he made a failed bid for freedom following his arrest at a St Marys home the prior evening.

The New Zealander is yet to enter pleas to charges of intentionally sexually touching a child and behaving in an offensive manner on public transport.

The court heard Petersen, who came to Australia in 2021, “actively approached” a 13-year-old girl on a train while it was travelling between Blacktown and St Mary’s last Thursday.

He is accused of moving towards her twice, each time getting closer, before allegedly saying: “You are so beautiful. Can I sit next to you?”

Penrith Local Court, where the bail application was heard.

Petersen is accused of continuing to try to talk to the girl, even though she told him she was 13, including by allegedly asking her to kiss him on the cheek and attempting to hold her hand.

He then allegedly placed his hand on her right thigh, rubbed it, and stroked her crotch.

The girl then got off the train at St Marys and sprinted into the CBD to alert police.

Petersen allegedly got off at the same station.

The court heard when police questioned him, he initially denied being on the train.

However, when police showed him a photograph, he allegedly said “that’s me”.

Lawyer Derrick Humphries told the court if Petersen were to be granted bail, he would be living with his sister in Padstow.

The 42-year-old also offered a $3000 surety – a fortnight’s income from his job as a full-time roofer.

Petersen was ultimately refused bail.

He is expected to next face court on November 15.