Alleged groper identified

THE Gold Coast man who is alleged to have outrageously groped a young mother’s backside as she finished a run on Sunday has been identified as Hope Island resident Timothy Thompson Jr.

The 40-year-old was yesterday charged with sexually assaulting two runners on the Gold Coast.

Police have revealed Mr Thompson Jr is also accused of touching the buttock of another female jogger on Oxley Dve at Hollywell on January 17 last year. The assault was immediately reported to police.

Mr Thompson Jr handed himself in to police on Tuesday night following Gold Coast Bulletin reports which included CCTV vision of a man allegedly inappropriately touching 24-year-old Jesse Ratu as she entered her apartment complex at Norman St, Southport.

Mr Thompson Jr allegedly rushed up to Ms Ratu and fondled her buttocks before telling her: “Sorry, I just had to do it. You have the best arse.”

Mr Thompson Jr is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on February 6.