British backpacker Alexander Fern pleads guilty to Base Backpackers St Kilda sexual assault

A British backpacker who sexually assaulted a young woman at a St Kilda hostel thought his victim had “liked” what he was doing.

Alexander Fern pleaded guilty to sexual assault. Facebook.

A British backpacker who sexually assaulted a young woman at a St Kilda hostel has been spared a conviction.

Alexander Fern, 23, was sentenced in the County Court in November to a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to sexual assault charges.

Fern violated his victim at Base Backpackers St Kilda in December 2019.

Fern was in the same bed as the victim while he sexually violated her, the court was told.

The victim reported Fern to police who set up a pretext call between the pair.

Fern admitted what he had done, expressed “extreme regret” and “explained to the victim that he thought she “liked” what he was “doing”, the court was told.

Fern also acknowledged he “should not have assaulted her” because they “were both so drunk” and it was a “silly thing to do”.

Fern, who apologised to his victim, asked the young woman if she wanted him to leave the country then he would.

Fern also hoped the victim would “recover” and “just feel safe and happy again”.

Fern also told the victim he “would never be able to forgive” himself for what he had done.

Fern, who arrested in January 2020, told police that “looking back” he had “misread the situation”.

Fern said the victim had climbed into bed with him and was “showing signs of enjoyment”.

Fern also said it was the “lowest” he had ever felt in his life.

The court heard Fern grew up in Manchester in the UK, graduated university, and was working and travelling throughout Australia at the time of the offending.

Judge Jeanette Morrish took into account Fern’s remorse, his “excellent” prospects of rehabilitation and low risk of reoffending when sparing him a conviction.

“It is clear that for a young man, as I said, you have shown great maturity accepting responsibility for what you have done, not trying to blame the victim, not trying to blame anyone else but yourself,” Judge Morrish said.

“You have accepted full responsibility for your actions and that does you great credit.”

Fern was also ordered to contribute $1500 to a charity.

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