A Ballarat County Court jury has found 42-year-old Gunaseelan Manoharan guilty of multiple sexual assault offences involving a minor and an adult.
Manoharan, who moved to Australia from India in 2014, could face deportation if his visa is cancelled by the federal government.
Daily Mail reports that the court heard that Manoharan, who previously ran Rooh Indian Contemporary Restaurant and Bar in Horsham, sexually assaulted a teenage staff member between March 2021 and January 2022, as well as an adult employee. The restaurant, located at a Horsham Rural City–operated site, closed in March 2023.
It is reported that during the hearing, Manoharan caused a dramatic scene after being remanded in custody. He briefly fled the dock, embracing family members in court before being escorted back into custody.
It is further reported by Daily Mail that the teenage victim provided a statement detailing the lasting impact of the assaults, describing struggles with anxiety, mistrust, and the need for professional support to cope with trauma.
The adult victim also described inappropriate physical contact, which led her to leave the workplace.
Judge John Kelly will sentence Manoharan on November 12.
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