Terrance Wellington to be sentenced for Nowra servo assault

A meth addict’s “terrifying” sexual assault of a woman trying to pay for fuel on the NSW South Coast has been exposed in court, with a magistrate deeming the incident “extremely serious”.

Terrance Wellington committed the assaulted at the Mobil Service Station in Nowra. Pictures: Tom McGann, Google Maps

A meth addict’s “gross” and “violating” sexual assault on a woman at a South Coast petrol station has been laid bare in court, after he grabbed her genitalia in what a magistrate deemed an “extremely serious” incident.

Terrance Wellington, 30, fronted Nowra Local Court on Monday, pleading guilty to sexually touching another without consent.

The Orient Point man’s charge stems from an offence committed on September 10 last year at the Mobil Service Station on Kinghorne St, Nowra.

Court documents reveal Wellington was waiting to pay for fuel when a 27-year-old woman entered the business.

As she walked past, Wellington shifted to let her through, before reaching out and grabbing her vagina with his right hand.

Terrance Wellington fronted Nowra Local Court on Monday. Picture: John Appleyard

Agreed facts state the woman immediately pushed him away.

Wellington left, and the store attendant – who the court heard saw the assault – asked the woman if she was okay.

Terrance Wellington will be sentenced on April 28. Picture: Tom McGann

The woman fled the store “shaken” to photograph Wellington’s car before he left, showing South Coast Police District officers the image the same day.

About 7.30pm, officers requested Wellington attend Nowra Police Station.

Upon arriving, he was arrested, charged and refused bail.

The 30-year-old ultimately spent two months behind bars before bail was eventually granted.

Wellington appeared in court on Monday supported by his parents.

His lawyer, Benjamin Goodhew, submitted his client struggled with mental health issues, such as schizophrenia, and was addicted to drugs like methamphetamine.

However, Magistrate Lisa Viney said there was no excuse.

“You grabbed her,” she said.

“It would have been terrifying, and she says it was gross and violating.”

Ms Viney adjourned the case for three weeks to assess Wellington’s suitability for home detention.

He will learn his fate at Nowra Local Court on April 28.

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