Acoustic Logic Consultancy managing director Matthew Palavidis fights sexual touching, common assault charges

A “VIP” diner and frequent patron of an exclusive Sydney restaurant has been accused of trying to undo a waitress’ corset as she served him caviar and vodka shots for lunch.

Acoustic Logic Consultancy managing director Matthew Palavidis. Picture: LinkedIn

A “VIP” diner and frequent patron of an exclusive Sydney restaurant has been accused of trying to undo a waitress’ corset as she served him caviar and vodka shots for lunch.

Acoustic Logic Consultancy managing director Matthew Palavidis, 63, fronted Waverley Local Court on Thursday for a hearing.

The Darling Point resident has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually touching another person without consent and common assault.

The allegations arise from a busy lunch service last year, when Palavidis and two friends were dining at the venue, which is known for attracting celebrity clientele but has not been named for legal reasons.

Some time after 1pm on the day in question, Palavidis allegedly tried to undo the waitress’ top as she served his table “bumps of caviar with vodka shots”.

Matthew Palavidis, who has pleaded not guilty. Picture: Acoustic Logic Consultancy

The court heard the waitress was wearing a white corset-style top held together by “zigzag like strings”, which tied in a bow at her chest.

It is alleged that Palavidis, using a finger and thumb, “pulled the strings” of the corset in a bid to undo it.

Matthew Palavidis leaves Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

During her evidence, the waitress was questioned about whether she had confused Palavidis with the “70 to 130” other guests she served that day.

“That is the man who assaulted me,” the waitress told the court, referring to Palavidis.

She added that Palavidis had been “flagged” by venue management as a “very important” and “frequent” guest prior to this particular occasion.

CCTV played to the court showed the alleged victim serving Palavidis, but not the alleged touching.

“When you watch the CCTV, there is no offence,” defence solicitor Paul McGirr told the court.

Mr McGirr also criticised the way police had handled the case, which had been passed around between three officers, with a significant delay between the alleged incident and charges being laid.

The defence lawyer also questioned why the constable currently was in charge of the matter had not tracked down additional witnesses, which he said was “an oversight”.

Magistrate Michael Barko described the matter as “very tricky”, saying the court must consider “whether pulling strings on a top is considered sexual touching”.

In a statement to this masthead, Mr McGirr said there was further evidence available and he was confident it would clear Palavidis of the alleged wrongdoing.

“We can’t say much except fortunately there is footage available, not only from the restaurant but from one of my client’s friends and witnesses, which we are confident will prove my client didn’t do anything as alleged,” he said.

The hearing has been adjourned until May 2 next year.