Former restaurant manager George Sinish Puzhakkarote appears in court for allegedly kissing teenage staffer

A former manager at a local restaurant appeared in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon after allegedly forcing a kiss on to a 17-year-old staff member. George Sinish Puzhakkarote was employed by the restaurant as a manager, when he and the teenager were working the same shift earlier in the year. Between 6pm and 9pm multiple incidents occurred between the victim and the accused. The 47-year-old manager is alleged to have touched the teenager’s upper thigh on her left leg, with his left hand. When the pair finished work, they were walking in the same direction when Mr Puzhakkarote stopped near a doorway and turned to face the victim. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray told the court Mr Puzhakkarote allegedly put his arm around her tightly and kissed the left side of the victims face. Sgt Gray said the accused said “It’s okay, do you feel it. I love you” before kissing her on the lips. Mr Puzhakkarote extended his finger to make a “pinky promise” and said “It’s our secret”. He is facing one charge of indecently dealing with a child over 16 under their authority. The accused has worked in the restaurant and hotel industry for 17 years and is on a visa which requires him to find a job within 90 days. Mr Puzhakkarote’s lawyer requested bail conditions accommodate him to see his own children. Magistrate Kelly Thompson set Mr Puzhakkarote conditions as being prohibited from working anywhere he is unsupervised with people under the age of 18, excluding his own children. He is due to appear again in Geraldton Magistrates Court on June 6.