Peregian Beach Hotel boss Samuel McGrath in court for common assault, sexual assault

A Peregian Beach pub boss has been warned he could spend time in prison after he assaulted two teenagers at a Christmas party.

Samuel McGrath leaving Noosa Magistrates Court.

A Noosa pub boss could be sent to prison after a court was told he groped one teenager and assaulted another at a Christmas party in 2021.

Samuel McGrath, 42, appeared in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday with the support of his wife and other family members, as he pleaded guilty to common assault and sexual assault.

The court was told McGrath, who was in a managerial position at the Peregian Beach Hotel at the time, had inappropriately touched two teenage girls at a Christmas party on November 10, 2021.

The court was told McGrath first grabbed a 19-year-old’s waist without her consent while at a Noosaville restaurant.

The party then moved onto a Noosa River ferry, where the woman felt McGrath touch and squeeze her right buttock hard, also without her consent.

Later, she was bent over helping two drunk people when she felt McGrath put his hand between her legs and touch her inappropriately outside her clothing.

She confronted him and said, “don’t put your f---ing hand on me”.

Samuel McGrath leaving Noosa Magistrates Court.

After the cruise had finished, a 16-year-old girl was standing in a circle with other partygoers on the shore when she felt McGrath slap her in the middle of her buttocks so hard it made a smacking sound.

Defence barrister Anthony Glynn said his client had been drunk at the time and apologised to the two women shortly after the events.

In separate victim impact statements read out by police prosecutor Allison Johnstone, the women shared the lasting effects of McGrath’s actions.

“(The 19-year-old victim) has experienced a feeling of distrust towards people ... (she) should feel comfortable being around,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

The 16-year-old victim wrote she felt a “betrayal of trust so deep it may well have been branded”.

The Peregian Beach Hotel (pictured in 2012). Photo: Geoff Potter / Noosa News.

Mr Glynn said his client had developed an unhealthy drinking habit at the time of the offences to cope with pressure from his job, which was in the midst of the fallout from Covid restrictions on hospitality businesses.

His wife was undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the same time, he told the court.

McGrath later began seeing a psychiatrist, to whom he expressed remorse, embarrassment and shame after the events of the Christmas party.

Mr Glynn said his actions were “out of character” and he now had his drinking under control.

He had also stepped back from his role at the hotel, Mr Glynn said.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said it was not unreasonable for McGrath to serve jail time for his actions, but told the court he was unable to make an immediate decision on the matter.

It was adjourned until December 6, when McGrath will return to Noosa Magistrates Court.

Originally published as Peregian Beach Hotel boss Samuel McGrath in court for common assault, sexual assault