Man may be deported

A man is behind bars and likely to face deportation after sexually abusing an 11-yearold girl on the Gold Coast.

Southport District Court was told Srikanth Jagilapu met the girl in the swimming pool complex of a building she was staying in while on holiday in September, 2021.

Jagilapu was twice alone with the girl after she followed him to the nearby toilets, kissing her on the mouth the first time before touching her genitalia underneath her swimmers.

It was heard the then-26year-old had been talking to his victim and her friends before the assaults, with the girl telling him she was 16 and the group giving him fake names.

The court was told the victim’s friends did not believe claims that she had “nearly been raped” on the first occasion, so she had planned to return to the toilet with Jagilapu so her friends could film evidence. Crown prosecutor Jessica Guy said the girl’s friends estimated she was in the cubicle for 10 to 20 seconds the second time.

It was heard the girl emerged visibly distressed and made similar claims again, with her group trying to hold the door closed to keep Jagilapu inside before a passer-by came to their aid.

The court was told Jagilapu was living in Australia on a bridging visa, having completed degrees and worked to send money to his family back in India during his time here.

Judge Deborah Holliday said it was likely that Jagilapu, now 28, would either be deported or moved to immigration detention after serving jail time.

Judge Holliday said that while Jagilapu’s conduct was undoubtedly serious, he had not used force during either of the brief encounters and had no other offending before or since.

“The Crown submitted your belief about (the girl’s) age is not a defence,” she said.

“And even if that defence was available, (her) appearance – which was clearly one of a child – would mean (it) was not held on reasonable grounds.”

Jagilapu pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12.

He was sentenced to 12 months’ jail, suspended for two years after he has served three months in custody.