Joel Gabriel allegedly performed sex act on train

A Faulconbridge man allegedly performed an illegal sex act in front of a woman on a train.

Joel Gabriel leaves Penrith Local Court. He is charged with performing a sexual act with a person without consent over an alleged incident on a Blue Mountains train.

A man accused of performing an unwanted sexual act on a train in the Blue Mountains in front of a young woman has faced court for the first time.

Joel Lachlan Gabriel, 22, of Faulconbridge, is charged with one count of carrying out a sexual act with another person without consent in relation to the alleged incident on September 5.

Police will allege in court that a 22-year-old woman, who can’t be named for legal reasons, caught a westbound train from Strathfield at about 10.30pm.

They will allege Gabriel entered the carriage at Blaxland and performed a sexual act in front of her.

Joel Gabriel will next appear at Penrith Local Court on January 14.

The woman got off the train at Springwood and told police about the allegations.

Gabriel was arrested at his home at about 7.30am on October 12 after a police investigation and granted strict conditional bail.

In Penrith Local Court on Thursday, Gabriel’s lawyer indicated he had made representations with the police to have the charge dropped or downgraded.

He asked for the matter to be adjourned to next year to give prosecutors time to consider the representations.

Magistrate Brian van Zuylen agreed to the adjournment and put the matter over to January 14.

Gabriel’s bail will continue.