A 64-year-old Indian tourist who indecently assaulted three young teenagers at Kiama rock pools last week has been described in court as “a devout Christian” who attends church on a daily basis.
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Isack Selvanathan had been at a picnic with a friend when he approached the girls, aged 13 and 14, by the pool and kissed each of them on the lips.
The last girl his approached he also touched on the breast, police said.
A couple who witnessed the third incident confronted Selvanathan at the same time as the mother of the first and second victim.
He was detained until police arrived. He was then taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station, charged and refused bail.
Selvanathan pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault in Wollongong Local Court on Friday, with his lawyer, Laura Fennell, saying the father-of-three, normally a non-drinker, had been under the influence of whiskey at the time.
She tendered a series of character references which described Selvanathan as an upstanding, respected citizen in his home town in India.
“He’s a devout Christian who is very involved in the church; he goes to church every day,” she said.
“People who know him speak of his excellent character...the references indicate a lifetime of good work where he lives.”
However, Magistrate Stoddart labelled Selvanathan’s actions “appalling”, saying he should be ashamed of himself.
“All I have read [in the references] is how distressing this has been for him and his family; I haven’t read a thing about how he thinks it might have been for those young girls to be violated,” Magistrate Stoddart said.
“It doesn’t say much for his Christian attitude; his church-going beliefs fly in the face of [what he’s done].”
He sentenced Selvanathan to three months jail, despite pleas by Ms Fennell to have the sentence capped at 10 days – the time he’d already spent behind bars.
Selvanathan immediately lodged an appeal against the decision.
He sought release on bail, however Magistrate Stoddart refused the application. The appeal is set down for next month.