Louis Wicherts: Woollahra schoolgirl masturbation allegations dismissed
A tatted up hipster cleared of allegations he stalked a Woollahra schoolgirl and masturbated as she walked home has lashed out at the police investigation against him.
Wentworth Courier
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A tatted up hipster accused of stalking a Woollahra schoolgirl and sneakily masturbating as she walked to her home has successfully defended his innocence.
Louis Arthur Wicherts, 42, was overseas as detectives raided his home when he was suspected of being the masturbator responsible for horrifying a 16-year-old girl in May last year.
At a hearing in the Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Magistrate Lisa Viney said she was “highly suspicious” the Redfern man was responsible for the lewd act, but ultimately dismissed the charge.
The young girl gave evidence she first laid eyes on the masturbator, wearing a bright eye-catching jumper, on the train from Town Hall to Bondi Junction when he allowed her to exit the carriage first.
She told the court she spotted a shadow as she was unlocking her back door and eyeballed a masturbating man standing less than a metre away. The teenager said the masturbator was wearing the same bright jumper as the man on the train.
Ms Viney ruled evidence had been “contaminated” as the girl had been shown a photo of Wicherts as she was in the process of producing her police statement. She also highlighted the teenager had said the masturbator had no tattoos and was wearing long pants with a zip, which did not match the Wicherts’ appearance at the time.
Wicherts’ lawyer Robert Candelori, of McGirr Lawyers, lashed at the “lazy” police investigation and said the Redfern man was relieved to have his name cleared.
“We are just relieved that this terrible charge has been dismissed,” he said. “He had always claimed his innocence from the outset. He was falsely accused.”
Wicherts said he had spiralled into depression after the criminal charges were laid, which led to severe paranoia.
“I wasn’t leaving home and I felt I couldn’t even use my name,” he said. “I never have had a history of this type of thing.”