By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN has assaulted a cleaner at the Berwick train station by “hugging” her and kissing her face several times in “slobbery” fashion at night last August.
Sean Harris, 32, pleaded guilty to assault, possessing ice and failing to answer bail after a charge of indecent assault was withdrawn by police at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 11 July.
Harris approached the cleaner about 10pm on 17 August and tried to take hold of her cleaning trolley. He was spoken to by PSOs and retreated to a bus stop with a male friend.
Half an hour later, he returned and grabbed the cleaner “holding her with both arms in a hugging motion” for about 30 seconds, the court was told.
While holding her, Harris kissed her forehead, and thrice kissed her right cheek.
The cleaner, who struggled to break free, later described the kisses as “really slobbery”.
Harris then unbuttoned his shirt and lifted it up, telling her: “I’m 31. Look at my body.”
He told her repeatedly she liked his body, and then left the station on the next bus.
Harris’ defence lawyer said it was conceded that it was an “unpleasant and horrible experience” for the cleaner, but denied there was a sexual motivation.
“She believes the person is intoxicated and it was in the presence of a male friend.
“I say this is an isolated, one-off incident … in which he voluntarily leaves after engaging in that behaviour.”
The court was told Harris had been placed on a good behaviour bond in 2015, which involved an incident with another person in “very different circumstances”.
He had not completed a positive lifestyle program as part of the bond.
Harris had not recently used drugs and was in a supportive relationship with his partner, who attended the court hearing, the lawyer said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said a simple fine wouldn’t be just punishment, but noted Harris hadn’t re-offended since last year.
“She’s simply doing her job and coming across someone like you … It would have been frightening to her.”
He convicted Harris and put him on a 12-month supervised community corrections order with 100 hours of unpaid work.
Fifty of those work hours could be used on drug counselling and rehab.
