A MAN who squeezed and slapped female colleagues' buttocks has been convicted on three counts of indecent assault after appearing before Bathurst Local Court.
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Christopher Adam Neaves, 51, of Wallerawang, appeared before magistrate Michael Allen last week.
The victims were all casual trainee corrections officers.
The first assault occurred on April 2 when the victim was practising possible scenarios at the Bathurst Correctional Centre when Neaves approached her from behind and slapped her buttocks.
The assault was completely unprovoked, the court heard.
The second assault occurred at the Lithgow Correctional Centre when another victim was undertaking specialist training.
The court heard Neaves walked towards the victim and grabbed her on the right buttock, squeezing it and saying: "Hey baby, how is it going?"
The victim told him "good thanks" and walked away. Again, the assault was unprovoked.
The third assault occurred when the victim was returning to her seat during a lesson at the Bathurst training facility.
The court was told the victim had to walk past Neaves' seat and as she tried to do so, he blocked her path, and said: "What's doing, baby girl?" The victim said: "I'm going to my seat."
She directed Neaves to move and, as she walked past, she felt a firm slap and squeeze on her left buttock.
She said: "Hey, what was that about?" He replied: "What? I slap my daughters on the arse all the time."
The victim said: "If you do it again, you'll end up in there." She pointed to the jail.
The court heard the victim was embarrassed and shocked by what had happened and was approached by another trainee corrections officer who had witnessed the assault and wanted to know if she was okay.
Al three incidents were brought to the attention of the assistant superintendent by another trainee officer and the police were called in.
Neaves was arrested at the Bathurst Correctional Centre on June 4 and denied the allegations.
He told police he believed the complaints occurred as a result of a clique within a group of the trainee class.
References tendered to the court on behalf of Neaves spoke of an otherwise good man under duress due to the demise of his marriage and financial stress.
Mr Allen convicted Neaves on all three charges, placing him on a 12-month good behaviour bond.