Under-cover groper
Grandad pleads guilty then costume change to hide identity
A GOLD Coast grandfather who groped a young unconscious woman in a taxi bizarrely tried to hide his face yesterday, donning a wig, hat and glasses.
This was despite his face being plastered across the city five months ago by police investigating the vile sexual assault of a woman on her journey home.
Geoffrey Malcolm Mylne, 51, groped the stranger on the breast for about 30 seconds when they shared a taxi after a night out on August 25 last year.
He then tried to drag her from the vehicle when the driver reached a destination in Palm Beach.
The shocking conduct led to the loss of his long-term job, fiance and home.
The Southport Magistrates Court was told the taxi’s driver stopped Mylne from taking the woman after it became apparent they were not known to each other.
Prosecutor Amalia BakerSmith said Mylne became aggressive and pulled the sliding door of the taxi off its hinges, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
The driver contacted police and Mylne later told officers he had no recollection of touching the woman as he was extremely intoxicated and had taken MDMA.
The act was caught on CCTV.
“He is a mature man, he should have known better,” Ms Baker-Smith said.
“The complainant was vulnerable. It’s concerning that the defendant attempted to take the complainant from the taxi once it stopped and became aggressive when prevented.”
Mylne yesterday pleaded guilty to sexual assault and wilful damage.
Ms Baker-Smith said women were entitled to feel safe without fear of being assaulted on their journey home.
Mylne, who self-represented, said he was extremely sorry and ashamed of the incident.
He said he lost his fiance, house and job of six years and was living in a caravan park as a result of the ordeal.
Mylne said he was paying for the damage to the vehicle and that he had written a letter to the victim.
The court was told he had been at a birthday party and had taken the drug.
Magistrate Mark Howden said: “This incident has not only impacted no doubt on the complainant’s life … it has significantly impacted on your life.”
He was sentenced to a period of 18 months probation with convictions recorded.