A 23-year-old Mandurah man, accused of sexually assaulting a cleaner in the Mandurah Forum toilets, will remain in custody after his bail application was refused.
Aaron James Collyer did not enter a plea to unlawful decent assault and common assault when he appeared in the Mandurah Magistrates court on Tuesday, via video link from Hakea prison.
Police had alleged a woman in her forties was cleaning a disabled toilet cubicle about 6.45pm on Friday, October 26.
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They alleged a man forced his way into the toilet cubicle and indecently assaulted the woman.
She chased him before he pushed a shopping trolley at her, causing her to fall to the ground.
The man was detained by security until police arrived.
Mr Collyer’s lawyer Emily Logan told the court her client had not taken his medication on the day.
You were apprehended at the scene – there is a strong case against you.
- Magistrate Anne Longden
She said he remembered being grabbed by security, but did not remember anything else.
Ms Logan said Mr Collyer lived with his mother in Mandurah but would be moving back to his father’s rural Waroona property, if the application was approved.
“It would be almost the same as home detention,” she said.
Ms Logan said Mr Collyer could abide by a curfew, report to the police station and “wouldn’t leave home without his father”.
Police prosecutor Tamara Reid told the court there was a “strong case” against Mr Collyer and opposed the application.
Senior Constable Read said Mr Collyer had breached his reporting conditions on a community order four years ago.
Magistrate Anne Longden refused the application telling the court “the risk is too high” and Mr Collyer had a “history of offending in a sexual aspect”.
“You were apprehended at the scene – there is a strong case against you,” she said.
Magistrate Longden said a prison term was the likely penalty for this offence.
He is due to reappear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on November 13, 2018.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
