A 21-year-old man pleaded guilty in the Invercargill District Court this morning to indecently assaulting a child. 

The man is facing three charges of indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 12.

Indecent assault is defined as any unwanted sexual touching and carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. 

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The court heard that the defendant touched the girl’s bottom and vagina on multiple occasions, refused to leave her bedroom where she was sleeping and refused to stop touching her after the girl had told him to do so.

The defendent has been granted interim name suppression, which will be reviewed at his next appearance date. 

A psychiatric nurse assessed the defendant prior to his appearance in court today and determined that he was of sound mind and ability to enter his plea.

Judge John Brandts-Giesen remanded the defendent on bail until his sentencing on February 23, 2021 in the Invercargill District Court.