A 71-year-old Victorian man faced Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court after being charged with allegedly indecently assaulting a female passenger on an international flight from the United States.
The woman told airline crew on the 22 September flight that the man had allegedly touched her inappropriately and reached inside her clothes while she was trying to sleep.
Crew members moved her to another seat for the rest of the journey and alerted the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who interviewed the man and witnesses when the plane landed.
The man was arrested and charged with one count of act of indecency without consent under section 60 of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT).
AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said the agency took such allegations very seriously.
“Every traveller on an aircraft should be able to feel safe from harm and should be confident that the AFP always takes action when we receive reports of alleged crime,” he said.
“As passenger numbers rise for the busy school holiday period, I’d also like to remind passengers that being in the air does not alleviate the consequences of alleged illegal behaviour.”
The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. He was granted bail to appear before the Broadmeadows court.
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