A judge has strongly reprimanded an Oamaru man for slapping and grabbing the buttock of a woman while he was on a trip in Auckland.
Judge Joanna Maze said women everywhere should be able to go about their business without having to be on constant guard against indecent assault because a stranger might decide to touch them.
In the Oamaru District Court yesterday, David Anderson (45) was sentenced for indecently assaulting a woman on February 3, 2017.
Anderson was informed by Judge Maze that if he appeared in court on any other serious violent offences in the future, he could face time in jail.
The police summary of facts stated Anderson had just left the Sky Casino, in Auckland.
He was standing at the intersection of Federal St and Victoria St West. His victim was on the other side of the road and as they both crossed he slapped and then grabbed the woman's buttock before jogging down Federal St.
The victim berated Anderson as he continued to run away.
When police caught the freezing worker, he blamed alcohol for his actions and said he was showing off to his friends.
His lawyer, Michael de Buyzer, told the court a restorative justice meeting between Anderson and the victim had had positive outcomes and the victim accepted an apology from Anderson as genuine.
Judge Maze told Anderson indecent assault was a serious offence.
Anderson was ordered to pay his victim $300 within 14 days of sentence.
