Elf groper should be ‘ashamed’

A MAN who grabbed a teenage girl’s backside while she was dressed as a Christmas elf has been told he should be “ashamed” of himself.

Brett Andrew John Fairbank, 41, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to one count of common assault.

The court heard the 15year-old girl was dressed as an elf for Christmas and walking past The Avenue on Cavill Ave just after 2pm on December 13 when Fairbank, who was sitting outside drinking, asked for a hug.

“His hands moved down to her backside and squeezed and made a forward motion with his pelvis,” Prosecutor Sam Hill said.

Fairbank also hugged the girl’s friend but did not touch her buttocks.

“She told police she thought the hug was part of her role but did not give permission for the grab,” Mr Hill said.

“He said he thought the victim was 18 and would not have behaved that way,” he said.

Fairbank, who represented himself in court, said the incident was not as bad as it seemed and the CCTV footage showed no forward motion.

Magistrate Gary Finger interrupted him.

“Do you have any daughters or nieces?” he said.

“How would you feel if some lecherous old man comes out of a pub half-full and gives them a cuddle and thrusts their privates at them? Would you like it to happen to them?”

Mr Finger said Fairbank’s behaviour was “appalling”.

“You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” he said. Fairbank was fined $900 and no conviction was recorded.