Man fronts court after teen girl, shoppers allegedly targeted in CBD attacks
A 40-year-old man has appeared in court following a string of attacks in Melbourne’s CBD, including one on a terrified teenage girl who rushed to a stranger for help. And the man has been accused of more disturbing crimes, it has been revealed.
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A man has fronted court after two women and a teenager were stalked and groped in separate attacks in Melbourne’s CBD.
Detectives from the Melbourne Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team arrested Malcolm Willett, 40, at a CBD address at 2.30pm on Monday.
Willett appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday afternoon facing nine charges including sexual assault, stalking and possess child abuse material.
The court was told Willett was on bail at the time of the alleged offending and was withdrawing from a drug of dependence during his court hearing.
Willett’s lawyer said her client needed medical attention including for his mental health.
It comes after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly attacked when a man allegedly put his hand up her school dress and touched her genatalia and buttocks through her clothing on the corner of Wills at La Trobe streets at 5.30pm on October 15.
The attack was captured on CCTV.
Two 20-year-old women were also allegedly attacked as they walked through Melbourne Central shopping centre about 9pm.
Willett’s lawyer said her client experienced some intellectual disabilities and could suffer from a personality disorder.
Willett was remanded into custody and will return on December 3.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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