Woman sexually assaulted at Dandenong Pioneer Memorial Gardens
A woman who was sexually assaulted by a registered sex offender in Dandenong said she experienced suicidal thoughts after the violation.
South East
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A woman who was sexually assaulted by a registered sex offender at a Dandenong park said she experienced suicidal thoughts after the violation.
Joseph Lukudu, 40, appeared at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he was found guilty of sexual assault and committing an indictable offence while on bail.
Court documents released to Leader show that Lukudu sexually touched a woman without her consent at Dandenong Pioneer Memorial Gardens on May 21, 2021.
The court heard the man was previously placed on the sex offender register for life after a prior conviction.
In a victim’s impact statement, the woman said she felt upset, overwhelmed and anxious.
“When I think about him, I get so angry,” she said.
“My anxiety has got worse, I can’t go anywhere near Dandenong or parks.”
The woman said she quit her job and experienced suicidal ideation because of the offending.
Lukudu’s lawyer Olivia Thompson said the man had a brain injury and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
She said his mental illness ultimately impacted his moral culpability.
The man was remanded in custody and will return to court on March 15.
