A Fijian man who indecently assaulted a girl in a public spa pool will be deported from New Zealand this Friday because of the crime.
Stuff.co reports that Ratnesh Anand Singh previously pleaded guilty to groping the 13‑year‑old on February 16th, 2016 while she sat with a group of friends in the hot pool at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre in New Plymouth.
On the day of the assault Singh, along with a friend, turned up at the complex drunk and gained access to the pool area without paying, while the receptionist's back was turned.
The 42‑year‑old then stripped down to his underwear before climbing into the spa pool.
Singh and his friend started talking with the victim and her three male friends.
As he reached over to shake one of the boy's hands, he groped the girl.
Singh then made a string of sexually suggestive comments to her.
A short time later Singh got out of the spa pool and pulled down his underpants, exposing his genitals.
Defence lawyer Susan Hurley today told the New Plymouth District Court how Singh would spend the next two nights in police custody before being sent back to Fiji.
Hurley said Singh originally pleaded not guilty to the indecent assault charge but changed his plea before the start of his hearing after he was presented with the evidence regarding the number of people who had seen the assault.
She said Singh had written a letter of apology to the teen and had fully cooperated with immigration officials regarding his impending deportation.
As a result of the deportation, Singh will not have to do the hours of community work.
Singh was sentenced to 200 hours of community work but no order was made to place him on the child sex offender register.
