Geraldton cook, 31, stands trial for allegedly indecently dealing with teenage waitress

A Geraldton cook is standing trial this week after he allegedly groped and kissed his teenage co-worker after supplying her alcohol at a work function last year. The 31-year-old man appeared in front of a jury in the Geraldton District Court on Wednesday accused of indecently dealing with a 16-year-old casual waitress while under his supervision in 2022. The 31-year-old, who is not named for legal reasons, walked the 16-year-old home from the function while she was tipsy and allegedly kissed her twice and touched her on the buttocks. He is facing three charges of being a person in authority who indecently dealt with a child, which he pleaded not guilty to in January. In his opening remarks, State prosecutor Brett Tooker said the man offered to take the teenage girl home from the function instead of being picked up and the girl contacted her parents who agreed he could take her home. It was at that stage the man allegedly supplied her with three whiskeys, the court was told. The man and the alleged victim began walking towards the Geraldton foreshore when they stopped at a beach. The prosecution case is that the 31-year-old accused got on top of the girl and kissed her twice before the 16-year-old said she wanted to go home. CCTV footage captures the man and the girl walking towards Maitland Park, where it’s alleged they stopped again and he got on top of her, kissed her and touched her. Mr Tooker told the court the 16-year-old “freaked out” and turned her head away. The man allegedly helped her up off the grass and walked her home, groping her on the buttocks when they said their goodbyes. The court heard days after the alleged incident, the girl wouldn’t leave her bedroom and couldn’t eat. Defence lawyer George Giudice did not give an opening address. The jury is set to retire to consider its verdict on Friday.