Bega man jailed for sexual assault of teen girl in toilet

Egan Darius Ross pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual intercourse and one count of indecent assault of the 14-year-old inside the disabled toilet of the Sapphire Marketplace’s underground car park after buying her cigarettes from Woolworths.

The 41-year-old was recorded on CCTV entering the toilet with the victim at 2.53pm on Saturday, March 19, and leaving the scene at 3.56pm with the victim.

Ross was advised by the victim during the assault she was “only 14”, which did not deter him from assaulting her further.

Shortly after the incident the victim told a friend what had occurred inside the toilet block, and the friend advised her to call police.

Police secured the scene for forensic examination and the victim was taken to the South East Regional Hospital where she was examined and then interviewed by police.

Ross was later arrested at Bega’s Grand Hotel where he told police he had met “some young sheila” who he had agreed to buy cigarettes for because she was a “minor” and could not purchase them herself.

While he denied the charges, he did confirm going to the toilet to urinate.

His DNA was found at the scene, leading to a later admission he had initially lied to police, but claiming the assault was consensual.

Ross was on bail at the time of the offences for a high range drink driving conviction in late February this year.

Ross received a 25 per cent reduction in his sentence from District Court Judge Dina Yehia for his guilty plea.

Judge Yehia sentenced Ross to two years and three months from his date of arrest for the first sexual assault, two years six months for the second, two years nine months for the third, three years six months for the fourth, and one year 10 months for the indecent assault conviction, to be served concurrently.

He will be eligible for parole in September 2018.