A North Albury man has been put on a bond for indecently assaulting a woman half his age who he first met just hours before at a bar.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The incident happened at the home of Mark Anthony Strauss, after the pair and a friend of Strauss went there to continue drinking.
Albury Local Court has heard how Strauss, now 56, put his hand on the leg of the woman, then 25, and kissed her, to her objection.
He kissed her again, on the neck, and touched her breast, on the outside of her clothing, as she headed towards the front door.
But magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim said that while the offence sat just below the mid-range for seriousness, he accepted it was not pre-meditated.
He took into account Strauss’s “limited record” and the fact he was “a person of prior good character for this type of offending” in placing him on an 18-month good behaviour bond, with conviction.
Strauss pleaded guilty to a single strictly indictable charge of assault with an act of indecency, which meant the case was handled by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Abdul-Karim was told the indecent assault took place on the night of February 17, 2017, which was when Strauss and the victim went to the bar – each with their own group of friends.
About 3.30am, Strauss, the victim and a friend of Strauss’s agreed to share a taxi to their homes in North Albury and Lavington.
“The victim was well-affected by alcohol at this time,” police said.
It was decided during the taxi trip that the trio would go to Strauss’s home to have some beers.
Strauss’s friend left after 20 minutes – each of them had drunk one beer – and it was soon after that the assault took place.