By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A Springvale man accused of a spate of lewd acts on trains and at railway stations has been refused bail.
The 24-year-old denied the latest alleged indecent act – in front of two children on a train – during the bail hearing at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 30 July.
Through an interpreter, he added: “Even if I’m found guilty, this will be the last time.
“Can you give me one last chance?”
The man was on summons for sexual assault and on a community corrections order for other sexual offences when he caught an evening train at Springvale railway station on 28 June.
He sat diagonally opposite 17-year-old and 16-year-old girls and performed a lewd act for several minutes.
One of the girls took photos of the man, who was staring at them during his activity. They later reported him to a railway station PSO.
The man was also accused with plying a female with synthetic cannabis and grabbing her breasts at Flinders Street railway station on 18 March.
The complainant told police she had been unable to move after inhaling the substance. A third-party intervened to stop the assault.
The man was on summons for that matter, to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 22 August.
He was also recently accused of two separate lewd acts in front of females in a public toilet and on a railway station platform.
Police remand liaison officer Sergeant Brett Morrison told the court that the man was an “unacceptable risk” on bail.
Police had “significant concerns” for female commuters on public transport, Sgt Morrison said.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen said there was no compelling reason for the man’s release.
The CCO was “not sufficient” to address the applicant’s behaviour, he said.
“The charges are serious.
“Given the frequency of the offences … I’m of the view that you’re a clear risk of reoffending.”
The man was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.
