Richard McLean entered women’s bathroom to assault teenage girl at Helensvale train station

A teenage girl borrowed two cigarettes from a man - moments later, he assaulted her.

The attack happened in the women’s bathroom at the train station in Helenvale on December 23 last year. Picture: Generic

A FATHER walked into the female bathroom at the Helensvale train station and assaulted a teenager because he wanted to tell her goodbye before boarding the train, a court was told.

Richard Basil Kevin McLean, 36, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court yesterday to common assault.

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Prosecutor Kimberly Thomas said the attack happened on December 23 last year.

McLean touched the girl on the neck and told her she was “gorgeous” and wished her a Merry Christmas after walking into the female bathroom, the court was told.

The girl borrowed two cigarettes from the man prior to the attack and the pair chatted near a bike rack.

“No doubt it was a terrible experience by a male in a female bathroom,” Ms Thomas said.

Defence lawyer Hayley Robertson said McLean walked into the bathroom to say goodbye to the girl.

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“His intention was to say goodbye, he is devastated now by how she felt,” Ms Robertson said.

McLean’s two children were with him at the train station.

The Labrador man was fined $1000.

Initially he was charged with the indecent treatment of a child but the charge was downgraded by the Department of Public Prosecutions.