A Sydney man faced Downing Centre Local Court today over the alleged groping of a fellow passenger during an international flight from the United States in May.
“No one on an aircraft should feel unsafe because of the behaviour of other travellers, and if someone has committed an offence, the AFP will take action,” said AFP Detective Inspector Dom Stephenson.
The 36-year-old is accused of indecently assaulting a woman by touching her thigh and buttock while she attempted to sleep during a flight on 29 May 2025.
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the man allegedly moved seats to sit in the same row as the woman, despite not knowing her.
Cabin crew became aware of the alleged incident and immediately moved the woman to a different section of the plane for her safety.
The AFP met the aircraft on arrival, interviewed the accused and several alleged witnesses, and later issued the man with a court attendance notice for one count of act of indecency without consent under section 60 of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT).
The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.
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