Vasilious Kafataris allegedly groomed and had sex with teen girl

A 52-year-old Education Department employee accused of sexually touching and having sex with a teenager a number of times allegedly told the girl he was in love with her, a court has heard.

A man accused of sexually touching a teenage girl in Sydney’s west has been hit with a slew of charges in court.

Vasilious Kafataris, 52, appeared at Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday charged with three counts of sexually touching a person aged between 16 and 18 years.

During his appearance, the Bankstown man was hit with nine further charges.

The additional charges comprise of four additional counts of sexually touching a person aged between 17 and 18 years, and five counts of sexual intercourse with a person between 16 and 18 years old.

Vasilious Kafataris has been granted bail while facing 12 charges. Picture: Lauren Ferri

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad began investigating Mr Kafataris in April following reports a 17-year-old girl had been sexually touched by him.

Police allege the 52-year-old sexually touched the girl at various locations in Bankstown between January and April, 2021.

Inquiries led police to his arrest at his Bankstown home on May 6 where they seized a number of items.

Mr Kafataris was taken to Bankstown Police Station and granted strict conditional bail.

However, because of the fresh charges, a police prosecutor told the court they were applying to revoke his bail.

The sergeant told the court there were “unacceptable risks” if Mr Kafataris were to be allowed to remain in the community.

“If he were to be found guilty, the threshold would be crossed and it would almost definitely be a custodial sentence,” she said.

The court heard Mr Kafataris had an “ongoing relationship” with the teenager for a period of time.

“We say he groomed her in a way where she still wants to be in a relationship with him,” Sgt said.

“It is concerning the defendant said he was not in a romantic relationship with the victim but accepts he was kissing her multiple times and told the victim he loves her.”

Vasilious Kafataris is accused of grooming and sexually touching the teenager over a matter of months. Picture: Lauren Ferri

However, Mr Kafataris’s lawyer opposed bail saying police were aware there would be further charges when he was arrested on May 6 and released.

“That information was not new to them,” he said.

The court heard Mr Kafataris is an employee with the Department of Education, which is fully aware of the allegations and put him on enforced leave.

“He has had no breaches of his bail conditions so far and he has strong community ties, with extensive family and friends in the Bankstown community,” his lawyer said.

Magistrate Peter Bugden told the court if found guilty Mr Kafataris is facing “an extremely lengthy jail sentence”.

Mr Kafataris was granted bail with the condition to report to Bankstown Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, not to contact the victim, not to go within 1km of where she lives or goes to school.

He must also pay a $5000 surety to the court as well as an additional $5000 paid by a family member.

Mr Kafataris will appear back in court in August.

Investigations into the alleged incident are continuing.