Arthur John Hitchenson: Sydney man fined for stroking woman’s leg on Gold Coast-bound flight

A 78-year-old Sydney man has pleaded guilty to committing an act of indecency on a domestic flight after repeatedly touching the leg of his female neighbour during a flight to the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Airport. Picture: Facebook/ Gold Coast Airport

An elderly Sydney man has pleaded guilty to committing an act of indecency on a domestic flight after repeatedly touching the leg of his female neighbour during a flight to the Gold Coast.

Collaroy man Arthur John Hitchenson, 78, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to the single charge last week.

According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), which issued a statement after the man’s conviction, the flight in question was between Sydney and the Gold Coast on December 8 last year.

“A female passenger contacted the AFP after arriving at Gold Coast Airport, alleging an unknown man seated beside her had touched her leg without consent multiple times during the flight,” the agency’s statement read.

“The man was later identified following a review of CCTV footage.”

“On 13 December, 2024, the AFP issued the man a notice to appear before court for one count of committing an act of indecency without consent, contrary to section 60 of the Crimes Act (Cth).

Hitchenson was hauled before the Southport Magistrates Court for his repeated touching of a woman’s leg on a flight to the Gold Coast Picture: NewsWire / Richard Gosling

“After pleading guilty, the man received a $1000 fine, and a conviction was recorded.”

This masthead has confirmed the man’s sentence with the courthouse.

AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Yarrow said this type of behaviour was unacceptable in any setting, but could be particularly distressing on a plane, where people were unable to easily move away.

“Members of the public do not deserve to be subjected to unwanted attention under any circumstance, including on a plane,” Det a/Supt Yarrow said.

“The AFP encourages anyone subjected to unwanted contact to alert the authorities, be it airline staff, the AFP or airport security, as soon as it is safely possible to do so.”

If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, call the AFP’s Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237). 

Originally published as Arthur John Hitchenson: Sydney man fined for stroking woman’s leg on Gold Coast-bound flight