CQ miner Christopher John Anderson fined for sexual assault of stripper

A stripper was so distressed and shaken up after a client touch her genitals during a lap dance she quit her job, a court heard during the sentencing of her offender.

Zodiac Nightclub in Rockhampton, where a man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a stripper.

A stripper was so distressed and shaken up after a client touch her genitals during a lap dance she quit her job, a court heard during the sentencing of her offender.

Central Queensland miner Christopher John Anderson, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 24.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said the victim was touched inappropriately by Anderson during a private dance as part of her shift at the Zodiac nightclub.

“There are rules put in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the dancers who enjoy their job and performing their duties,” she said.

“These rules were clearly explained to the defendant prior to the private dance.”

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale said a document before the court outlining the facts showed Anderson twice breached these rules, with one being an unwanted touch, before the sexual assault charge where he touched her clitoris.

The dancer was not wearing any underwear at the time of the sexual assault as she had unclipped her body suit as part of the dance and she was hovering above Anderson’s lap.

She immediately jumped off Anderson, ended the dance and requested security remove him from the venue.

“Due to that one touch, the victim became distressed and shaken up,” Ms Neill-Ballantine said.

She said the victim sought three weeks of income totalling $1500 as compensation.

Defence lawyer David Mills said his client was intoxicated at the time of the incident, but didn’t use that as an excuse for his behaviour.

He said Anderson recalled the victim moving on and off his lap during the dance before the touch.

“It’s one touch … it’s very brief,” Mr Mills said.

He said Anderson, now single, had been in a 14.5 year-long relationship which ended last year.

Mr Mills said since then, the miner had thrown himself into his work but found he became depressed during his seven days off so had been working in the disability sector, taking people with disabilities on picnics to the beach, parks and gardens.

Ms Beckinsale said Anderson’s minor criminal record indicated he had a problem with alcohol.

“It’s telling me when you are not drinking, you’re a stable, hardworking person who gives to the community, in fact, assists people with disability,” she said.

Ms Beckinsale ordered Anderson pay a $1200 fine and pay $500 compensation with no conviction recorded due to the impact it would have on his ability to continue working in the disability sector.

Originally published as CQ miner Christopher John Anderson fined for sexual assault of stripper