Vasko Sterjovski: Woman in bank line sexually assaulted by cleaner

A cleaner said he couldn't remember sexually assaulting a young woman at a bank in Melbourne’s west because he was blackout drunk.

A 53-year-old cleaner has apologised for his “out-of-character” behaviour after sexually assaulting a young woman waiting in line at a bank in Melbourne’s west.

Vasko Sterjovski appeared in Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to plead guilty to one count of sexual assault.

The court heard the man was employed as a cleaner at Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes when the incident took place on December 1 last year.

Prosecutors told the court the victim, a young woman, visited Westpac bank on her lunch break at 11.44am where she was groped from behind.

She turned around and told Sterjovski to “keep his hands to himself” before bank staff stepped in and took her to a private office.

Sterjovski was arrested and interviewed after the centre’s security manager identified him on CCTV.

He told police he was drunk at the time and couldn‘t recall what happened.

In court, defence lawyer Cameron Marshall said he was suffering from depression and drinking up to two bottles of whiskey a day.

“His daughter says he’s a completely different person when he‘s drinking,” he said.

“His consumption has decreased due to the shock at being charged with the offence before the court today.”

The assault took place at Watergardens Shopping Centre where Vasko Sterjovski worked as a cleaner.

The court heard the woman had told police she experienced trauma as a result of the incident.

A police prosecutor said the seriousness of the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, was aggravated by the fact it occurred in a public place.

“Whilst this might have less impact if it was among footy players in a locker room, this occurred to a female in a bank from a person she didn‘t know,” he said.

“The impact would have been far greater.”

The matter was adjourned to November 8 by magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz to assess Sterjovski’s suitability for the CRISP bail program.

She proposed suspending his sentencing for a few months to allow Sterjovski to receive counselling for his mental health and alcohol use on the bail program, if he’s found suitable.

“Unless the reasons for his alcohol abuse are treated, there‘s a risk he may return to drinking and commit similar behaviour again,” she said.

“What’s in the best interest of the community and in particular the women in the community, is that he gets help addressing this problem.”