A "high risk offender" when it comes to indecently touching teenage girls was back in court on Monday, following an incident in a Wollongong CBD shopping centre.
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Michael Pearce, 37, with no place of residence, appeared at Wollongong Bail Court charged with allegedly groping a teenage girl in Wollongong Central.
According to police facts tendered to the court, the teen was in the shopping centre with several friends, and they headed to the Funland arcade section on the top floor next to the food court.
The alleged victim and her friends took seats in a booth when Pearce approached them from the food court.
He reached out to shake one of the girl's hands before then shaking hands with the victim.
Pearce then allegedly grabbed her inner thigh before then touching her breast outside her clothes.
In shock, the alleged victim could not remember if Pearce said anything before walking off.
The group chose to follow him, taking photos and then calling centre security when he sat down outside The Bavarian.
The security guard called police, who arrested Pearce. Later investigations alleged that Pearce had walked around after the incident hugging other teenage girls.
In court, police prosecutor Leah Argent opposed bail, stating the need to protect the alleged victim and that Pearce had failed to appear in court on several occasions.
"His history shows he is not a person who complies with court orders," Sergeant Argent said.
Sgt Argent added Pearce was on bail for failing to report to police as part of his being on the Child Protection Register.
Legal Aid solicitor Emel Ozer acknowledged the seriousness of the charge but said her client had an intellectual disability that was exacerbated by the use of ice and alcohol.
She suggested a range of bail conditions including not to consume drugs or alcohol and not to enter Wollongong Central.
However, the registrar noted the previous failures to appear before court and decided there were no conditions that could allow him to grant Pearce bail.
Pearce will remain in custody and return to Wollongong Bail Court on Tuesday.
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Glen Humphries
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading.
