Victorian magistrate probed on sexual assault claims

A VICTORIAN magistrate is being investigated over allegations that a young staffer was assaulted at a Christmas party last weekend.

A magistrate’s behaviour at a Christmas party last weekend is under investigation. Picture: AP

A SEXUAL harassment ­scandal has rocked Victoria’s judiciary after confirmation a magistrate is being investigated over allegations that a young staffer was assaulted.

The Chief Magistrate, Judge Peter Lauritsen, has confirmed he is investigating a magistrate’s behaviour at a Christmas party last weekend.

“When I have concluded my initial investigation I will be discussing the outcome with the Attorney-General,” Judge Lauritsen said in a rare public statement.

The magistrate is accused of groping a young woman’s buttocks and telling her he “loved her” after a night of drinking at the Christmas function.

There are also allegations that he incited violence by ­asking a member of the public to attack a male staffer whom he described as a “c---”.

Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula says he will wait for the Chief Magistrate’s initial inquiries.

The allegations have been discussed in the legal precinct for days, though neither the government nor Judge Lauritsen was aware of them until contacted by the Herald Sun.

The magistrate at the centre of the scandal has previously worked in senior positions at a number of government agencies both locally and interstate.

Attorney-General Martin Pakula said yesterday: “I understand that the Chief Magistrate is making inquiries about this matter. I will wait to hear from the Chief Magistrate about the outcome of those initial inquiries before deciding whether to refer the matter to the Judicial Commission … for further investigation.”

The Judicial Commission of Victoria is an independent body set up to investigate complaints about judicial officers.

Shadow attorney-general John Pesutto said: “The allegations … are extremely serious, as employees have the right to attend work and related functions free from any form of sexual harassment, bullying or abuse. If true, (it) risks dramatically undermining public confidence in the court at the very time it is … struggling to cope with the demands of a criminal justice system at breaking point.”

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