Vaughan Dawes, 53, from Coffs Harbour, placed on child protection register for preying on teen

A former Mid-North Coast football coach and landscaper who told a teenager “you look grown up” before grabbing her breasts has been dealt with in court.

Vaughan Dawes leaves Coffs Harbour court on February 19.

A former Mid-North Coast football coach and landscaper has learnt his fate in court after groping a teen girl’s breasts.

Coffs Harbour Local Court heard this week that Vaughn Dawes had told his solicitor Hugo Schleiger that the incidences – of which he has now been sentenced for – were “situational madness”.

Court documents show that on one occasion he told the teen “you look grown up” before grabbing her breasts.

And on another occasion Dawes told the teen “You’ve got lipstick on and you look pretty”.

He then proceeded to lie down next to her and touch her before she fled the room and called for help.

Former Coffs Harbour Comets coach Vaughn Dawes faced court on Wednesday for sexually touching without consent.

The incidents occurred in January 2022 and September 2023 in Coffs Harbour.

Dawes made early pleas of guilty on February 9 to the two charges of sexually touch without consent.

Vaughan Dawes leaves Coffs Harbour court on Wednesday, February 19.

Mr Schleiger argued that the touching occurred “on the outside of clothes” and the offender, who has run a landscape business for 30 years, had no prior history or convictions.

“He has taken full responsibility ,” Mr Schleiger said of the offences which will result in Dawes being placed on the Child Protection Register.

Magistrate Jeff Linden considered the facts, along with a Sentencing Assessment Report and a letter by Mr Dawes’ brother provided by Mr Schleiger.

Dawes, who was formerly the coach of the Coffs Harbour Comets football team, was sentenced on Wednesday to a community correction order of two years and is required to complete 50 hours of community service.

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Originally published as Vaughan Dawes, 53, from Coffs Harbour, placed on child protection register for preying on teen