Zachary Levi Lachlan Kaye pleads guilty to sexually assaulting 17-year-old girl

A man has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl he had discussed “hooking up” with outside her own home. Find out what happened in court.

A former youth group leader with lofty career aspirations has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl outside her own home.

Southport District Court was told Zachary Levi Lachlan Kaye, then 18, met and started talking to the girl on social media several days before arranging to meet at her house in August, 2022.

It was heard the pair had discussed “hooking up” and Kaye giving her a hug.

Crown prosecutor Ryan Godfrey said the pair hugged and chatted in the driveway and then got into Kaye’s car to shelter from the rain. She consented to him touching her thigh but told him she did not like to be touched when he touched her face.

Mr Godfrey said the girl agreed to other contact, including Kaye hugging her again and “grabbing her arse”, before walking back towards her house to escape the rain.

The court was told Kaye’s victim told him she did not want to kiss him when he asked to. Kaye then grabbed her by the throat with one hand and pushed her against the wall near the front door.

Mr Godfrey said the girl felt scared and pulled away when the now-20-year-old tried again to kiss her, then put his hand down her pants and put his fingers against her genital area, at which she said, “We can’t do this – this isn’t right”.

Kaye ran around the side of the house when he saw a car approaching, fearing it was the girl’s parents, then left. His victim locked the doors behind him and soon reported the assault.

The court was told Kaye pleaded guilty to the offending on the basis he held an honest but mistaken and unreasonable belief that the girl had consented.

Defence barrister Daniel Boddice said the assault was an “aberration” for his client, who was a young man with no other offending before or since.

It was heard Kaye was previously a youth group leader but had been unable to return to the role since being charged.

Judge Deborah Holliday said she accepted Kaye – who had hopes of a future career in motorsports or the military – was remorseful for the offending and had strong support and prospects of rehabilitation.

Kaye pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual assault and common assault.

He was placed on probation for two years and no conviction was recorded.