Jack Pethybridge to be sentenced for Barden Ridge indecent assault
A young man who indecently assaulted a male guest twice as a woman lay asleep between them after a late night party at his home will soon learn his fate over the crimes.
St George Shire Standard
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A young man who indecently assaulted a male guest twice at a suburban Sydney house party as a woman lay asleep between them will soon learn his fate over the crimes.
Jack Pethybridge was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault after he masturbated a man without his consent at his Barden Ridge home as a female guest slept between them in Pethybridge’s bed.
A jury found him not guilty to two other similar charges related to the same incident at a week-long trial at the Downing Centre District Court in February.
Pethybridge’s sentence was adjourned last Friday to Parramatta District Court on May 8 before Judge Jennie Girdham.
Pethybridge, the victim, the female friend and Pethybridge’s male partner at the time had undressed to their underwear after late night drinks at Pethybridge’s home and got into his bed together after the event in July 2017.
Police were told Pethybridge had leaned over the female and begun to masturbate the victim while he was propped up on his arm, shortly after Pethybridge’s partner had left the bed.
Pethybridge was subsequently charged with two counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual intercourse without consent related to an additional allegation he had performed oral sex on the victim without consent.
Pethybridge’s barrister had said his client agreed the encounters happened as the woman lay asleep between them, but argued the sexual contact was consensual and continued until the alleged victim climaxed.
The Crown Prosecutor had argued the alleged victim did not realise he had suffered an assault until he was enlightened by conversations with a female neighbour and members of his family, prompting the belated complaint.
The trial took place over two weeks before the jury and Judge Girdham at Downing Centre District Court and included evidence from the victim, who attended court in person to face his attacker.