Canberra cafe manager refused bail after alleged sexual assault of teenaged staff member
A Canberra cafe manager is behind bars after he was denied bail in the ACT Magistrates Court for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl he allegedly told "let's keep this a secret".
Dhiren Patel, 32, was also a part owner of the cafe and is facing multiple charges.
They are three charges of rape, one charge of committing an act of indecency and one of supplying alcohol to a young person after the alleged offences against the girl who worked at the cafe.
The court heard the offence was partially captured on CCTV.
Bail denied due to risk of reoffending
Prosecutor Liam Taylor told the court it was an overwhelming case and he was concerned Mr Patel might reoffend or pose a threat to the alleged victim.
He urged the court to refuse bail, saying no conditions would suffice to help the situation.
Mr Patel's lawyer James Maher disagreed saying his client could be controlled if ordered not to leave his house except in the company of his wife.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt told Mr Maher she had concerns about releasing him even on strict conditions.
"
I think the account your client has given the police ... it's hard to reconcile with the CCTV.
"
But Mr Maher said the footage was consistent with admissions, including that he was in the kitchen with the girl, that his clothes were on the floor, and that he was naked in her presence.
He told the court it was a reasonably strong case but not overwhelming.
Magistrate Burt said the case represented a significant power imbalance, which included claims Mr Patel gave the girl alcohol, as well as "allegations that while she was intoxicated he did have sexual relations with her".
She said the claims he gave her money and urged her to keep it secret were also concerning.
Magistrate Burt said in circumstances where the allegations included grooming and a breach of trust, the risks were too great.
The case will return to court later this month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Disgusting': NRL world up in arms over ugly Jarome Luai ‘eye gouge'
NSW star Jarome Luai has come under fire for a suspected eye gouge on Queensland enforcer Reuben Cotter in State of Origin Game 2 on Wednesday night. Midway through the first half, Luai put his hands all over the face of the Maroons back-rower, with his fingers appearing to rake across his eyes. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The act landed the Blues playmaker on report but no further action was taken. The Channel 9 commentary team also breezed past it. But those watching on at home were up in arms, questioning how Luai wasn't at least sin-binned as they called out the nasty act. 'Disgusting eye gouge from Jarome Luai. No place in the game for that. Commentators should be calling that out instead of going silent,' one fan commented on X. 'So none of the commentators are gonna mention the blatant eye gouge by Luai?' asked another. You can watch the suspected Jarome Luai eye gouge in the player above. 'Well, Luai won't be playing for the Wests Tigers for a few weeks. That's our season done,' a Tigers fan wrote, hinting at the likely long ban the half could receive if it was found to be an eye gouge. While a fourth added: 'I'm absolutely shocked that Luai didn't get 10 for the blatant eye gouge. Gobsmacked.' The 28-year-old's act wasn't the only incident to be called out by Maroons fans either, with Blues winger Zac Lomax placed on report shortly after Luai for lashing out with his elbow after a tackle from Trent Loiero. 'On report. You lashed out and hit him in the head,' referee Ashley Klein was heard saying. Safe to say the Blues' extra aggression drew the ire of fans, particularly those wearing Maroon. 'Can someone explain why Lomax doesn't go to the bin for elbowing Loiero in the face?' one fan wrote. 'That is terrible. Luai eye gouge and then that from Lomax. I thought Queensland was the team meant to be feeling the pressure,' another added. 'Absolutely shocking from Lomax,' a third said.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Optus agrees to pay $100 million penalty
ACC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe discusses the reasons behind Optus agreeing to pay a large penalty. Optus has agreed to pay a $100 million dollar penalty after admitting to unconscionable conduct. Optus sold services to people who it knew could not afford them and in some cases, pursued those people with debt collectors.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Influencers react to Indy Clinton's private investigator reveal
One of Australia's most well-known influencers says she has hired a private investigator to find her most prolific alleged trolls, sending her huge fan base into a tailspin. Indy Clinton, 27, is an influencer known for documenting her life with her three children and is often trolled relentlessly. However, Clinton was fed up with the alleged trolling and hired a private investigator to look into the biggest anonymous accounts, who she claims were giving her trouble in an attempt to uncover their identity and bring legal action. Australians are able to sue online trolls when it comes to abusive messages and emails. On Sunday, the mother-of-three posted a video of herself dancing in her kitchen after being handed a binder. 'How it feels receiving a 64 page report from my PI after an extensive three month investigation on all my ladies (mothers) who have continiously (sic) bullied, defamed and trolled me and my family for months and months and even years,' she said. The internet lost their minds at the WAG-atha Christie-esque move, with several influencers praising the TikTok Creator of the Year 2023 winner. Tarah Elizabeth, who documents her ADHD and pregnancy journey said a 'huge thank you' to Clinton.' 'For so long, it's felt like we just have to cop it. Like these people can say whatever they want, spread fake stories, push harmful narrative and fuel hate … all without consequences,' she said. 'But here the truth: you're not above the law. You're not protected from defamation. And you're not truly anonymous behind your burner accounts (the ones they make after we block them). 'We block you, and you come back. It's relentless. It's damaging. And it's enough. 'Thank you, Indy, for speaking up and starting this conversaton (sic). This culture of belittling, bullying and hiding behind your keyboads (sic) had gone way too far and it's enough.' Lucy Jackson called the move 'iconic', saying that the bullies were starting to get what was coming. Brittney Saunders, a content creator and the woman behind FAYT the Label also congratulated Clinton. She claimed people like the accused are usually creator's 'number one fan'. 'This was always going to happen and I am glad she has come out and said, 'Look out, I've got all of your information,' Saunders said. 'I'm all for influencers, content creators and celebrities being called out when they're genuinely doing something wrong but people hiding behind faceless accounts or anonymous accounts and just relentlessly ripping on people that they don't even know is just disgusting behaviour.' She said relentlessly picking on how someone looks is not freedom of speech — it's obsession. Some people have questioned Clinton's decision to hire the private investigator, with one person claiming she recently said she wasn't bothered by trolls. 'Yeah, I actually do remember saying that — believe it or not — and I probably said it because I was collecting and collating all the information for my PI so I wanted to throw you off scent,' she said. 'Moving forward, online trolling and bullying is going to effect (sic) someone. We aren't robots on here. We are actual human beings with emotions and real life families and hearts.'
