CANBERRA, ACT, Sept. 24 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
A Victorian man is expected to face Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court today (24 September, 2025) charged with allegedly indecently assaulting a female passenger on an international flight from the United States.
The woman reported to airline crew during the flight that a man had allegedly touched her inappropriately and reached inside her clothes while she tried to sleep during a flight on 22 September, 2025.
Crew members moved the woman to a different seat for the remainder of the flight and alerted the AFP, who met the flight when it landed and interviewed the man, 71, and witnesses.
The AFP arrested the man and charged him with one count of act of indecency without consent, contrary to section 60 of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT).
The maximum penalty for this offence is seven years' imprisonment.
He was bailed to appear before the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court today (24 September, 2025).
AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said the AFP took any allegation of inappropriate or criminal behaviour on land or in the air very seriously.
"Every traveller on an aircraft should be able to feel safe from harm and should be confident that the AFP always takes action when we receive reports of alleged crime," Det Supt Cook said.
"As passenger numbers rise for the busy school holiday period, I'd also like to remind passengers that being in the air does not alleviate the consequences of alleged illegal behaviour."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
