Queenstown District Court

A FRENCHMAN who ‘‘got the wrong end of the stick entirely’’ has been convicted of indecently assaulting a 29yearold Dutch woman in Queenstown last month.

Dimitri Altmann (30), of Paris, admitted the charge, dated September 27, when he appeared in the Queenstown District Court before Judge Bernadette Farnan.

The charge is a qualifying offence for a strike under New Zealand legislation.

Prosecuting sergeant Ian Collin said the victim was sitting on the deck of a CBD hostel and was approached by the defendant.

The pair chatted for about 30 minutes before Altmann started touching the victim’s arms and stroking her back with his hand.

He then ‘‘grabbed the victim’s legs and put them across his lap’’.

‘‘The defendant suggested he and the victim shower together and have sex.

‘‘The victim told the defendant ‘no’ and made it clear she wasn’t interested.’’

However, Altmann continued ‘‘touching and hugging’’ the woman and then tried to kiss her on the lips — she blocked his face with her shoulder.

When Altmann grabbed and squeezed the woman’s right breast she ‘‘slapped his hand away, swore at him and told him that was not OK’’.

She moved away from Altmann and tried to ignore him but he followed, held up his left hand and asked if he could touch her breast. ‘‘She leaned away and told him in no uncertain terms to leave her alone,’’ Sgt Collin said.

The woman left the hostel, and returned later when it was time to check in to her mixed dorm room.

The defendant was in the same room and he again asked if she wanted to shower with him and hugged her — the woman left the room and reported the matter to the hostel management.

Altmann was immediately removed from the hostel and was located by police on October 3, but declined to make a statement.

The victim, who had been in the resort for work, had since left New Zealand.

Counsel Tanya Surrey told Judge Farnan, when asked, she believed Altmann was on the autism spectrum.

‘‘It does appear to be a situation where he has taken a shine to the victim and has just completely misread the signals from her.

‘‘He’s got the wrong end of the stick entirely.

‘‘He is very remorseful for what’s happened.’’

Ms Surrey said Altmann had completed 40 hours’ voluntary community work ahead of yesterday’s court appearance and had money available for emotional harm reparation.

Judge Farnan said that Altmann had ‘‘totally misread the situation’’ and should have discontinued his behaviour when the victim ‘‘expressed her dis pleasure’’ to him.

He was ordered to make a $3000 emotional harm reparation payment to the victim — restorative justice was not available because the victim had returned home.