Coles worker Mohamed Abdul Shadak Papon bailed over alleged child groping at Westfield Bondi Junction

A married Coles worker accused of sexually groping a 15-year-old girl at Westfield Bondi Junction allegedly tried to coerce the teen into kissing him and asked her to be his girlfriend, a court has heard.

The man was on a break from his job at Coles when he allegedly committed the crimes. Picture: Supplied

A married Coles worker accused of sexually groping a 15-year-old girl at Westfield Bondi Junction allegedly tried to coerce the teen into kissing him and asked her to be his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Bangladeshi national Mohamed Abdul Shadak Papon, who has been in Australia on a visa since December 2023, was on a break from work on an evening in December 2024, when he approached the underage teen as she sat alone, waiting for friends, and began talking to her.

According to documents tendered to the NSW Supreme Court, the pair exchanged details before Papon told her she was pretty and bought her a drink at McDonalds.

They then began walking further into the shopping centre, at which time Papon allegedly wrapped his arm around her shoulder and hugged her.

The married worker was employed at Coles in Westfield Bondi Junction.

Police will allege as they passed a nearby bathroom, Papon said to the girl “I bought you a drink … can I have you for five minutes … we could do some fun”.

The teen kept walking without responding.

The court heard Papon is allegedly seen on CCTV footage putting his hand on her buttocks, first outside her pants, then inside.

It is alleged he tried to penetrate her with his finger, but the teen pushed his arm away.

Police allege he was also seen kissing the girl on the head, attempting to grope her left breast and grabbing her around the waist as they walked.

At one stage, police say Papon told her “can you feel my heartbeat? I just want to f—k you”.

He also allegedly asked her “don’t you and your boyfriend do this”, said “just let me make out with you” and told her they’d make a cute couple.

The court heard the girl managed to get away from Papon and met up with her friends a short time later, telling them what had happened.

It is alleged Papon sent the teen a message confessing his love and asking her to be his girlfriend, before eventually returning to work.

Papon was arrested by police two days later and charged with eight offences including aggravated sexual assault, sexual touching and grooming a child for unlawful sexual activity.

He was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court last month, on strict bail conditions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Papon was remanded in custody for three months before being granted bail by the Supreme Court last month.

His lawyer told the court Papon needed to be at liberty to earn a living so he could support his wife, whose student visa restricted her working hours.

In an affidavit to the court, the woman said Papon earned about $1800 a week working four casual jobs to support them.

She said she’d been forced to sell valuable wedding jewellery to pay for groceries and the rent on their apartment since his incarceration.

She told the court she could lodge the remaining money she had as a cash surety if Papon was released on bail.

Justice Deborah Sweeney agreed to release Papon from custody, on the condition he report daily to Campsie Police Station and abide by a home detention order.

The court heard one of Papon’s employers had offered him full-time employment as a bookkeeper, working from home.

The matter will return to court on June 17.

Papon has yet to enter pleas to the charges.

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