Burwood man James Parish charged with grooming child for sexual act

An enthusiastic Burwood musician has denied performing a sexual act in front of a 12-year-old boy who was playing Nerf guns on the street.

James Parish was charged with a child sex crime. Facebook.

A Burwood man who allegedly groomed a child for sex in broad daylight on a Melbourne street has strenuously denied any offending.

James Parish, 32, fronted Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after he was charged with multiple offences including two counts grooming a child for sexual offence.

Parish approached his alleged victim while the child was playing Nerf guns with his siblings, the court heard.

The court was told Parish, who was carrying a purple guitar, exposed his buttocks to the 12-year-boy then allegedly asked the child to do the same in September last year.

“Now you show yours,” Parish allegedly said.

Parish then drove away from the street where the alleged incident occurred, the court was told.

The court heard the alleged victim reported the incident to his mother who observed Parish drive away from the area.

Parish, who was also charged with sexual activity in the presence of a child, was reported to police.

Parish doesn’t deny being in the area where the alleged incident took place but denies the incident happened at all.

Parish was supported in court by his father, brother and family friend from Canada.

Parish, via his lawyer, indicated he will contest all charges after being slapped with a fresh charge of sexual activity in the presence of a child just prior to today’s hearing.

The matter will now proceed to a two-day contested hearing where the alleged victim is expected to give evidence via videolink on April 26 next year.

Magistrate Luisa Bazzani extended Parish’s bail until the next court date.

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