Supreme Court: Launceston man accused of indecent assault on woman in library

Prosecutors will rely on evidence from two alleged former victims of the man to prove he had a tendency to approach young women in libraries. THE LATEST >>

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THE trial of a man accused of indecently assaulting a young woman in the Launceston Library and at her home began in the Supreme Court in Launceston on Tuesday.

Ashley William Baverstock has pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault and one count of aggravated sexual assault.

Prosecutor Virginia Jones said it was alleged Mr Baverstock molested the now 27-year-old while she was reading on the library’s second floor on May 23, 2017.

It was alleged that about 8pm the same night, the defendant went to the woman’s unit, had a cup of tea with her and then committing two indecent assaults and one aggravated sexual assault against her before leaving.

A recording of an interview between the complainant and Detective constable Sarah Campbell was played in court on Tuesday.

The complainant was heard saying Mr Baverstock was at her unit for about eight minutes.

“I told him to stop it, but he wouldn’t listen,” the woman told Det Insp Campbell.

“I’m not going to let him come to my unit again now.”

Launceston Supreme Court.

Ms Jones said the woman had seen Mr Baverstock near her home before.

Two women, now aged 29 and 32, took the stand during the trial on Tuesday and gave evidence that Mr Baverstock also indecently assaulted them in separate incidents at George Town Library in 2005.

Ms Jones said the Crown case relied on their testimony to prove Mr Baverstock had a tendency to approach young girl’s in libraries and touch their breasts or clothing.

Defence lawyer Patrick O’Halloran said his client denied ever touching the woman in a sexual way, but did not deny he was in close contact with the complainant at the library and at her home on the day in question.

In an interview with Police, Mr Baverstock said he went to the woman’s home, but only “gave her a cuddle” as he left, the court heard.

The complainants father, Det Constable Campbell and the complainants psychologist are also expected to give evidence when the trial resumes on Wednesday morning.