An Indian co-owner and manager of a café in Canberra has been accused of raping an underage female employee at their workplace after plying her with alcohol.
Dhiren Patel, 33, was denied bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday where he did not enter pleas to three counts of sexual intercourse with a person under 16, one count of committing an act of indecency on a person under 16, and one count of supplying alcohol to a child in a public place.
Patel, who is married and lives in Gungahlin, cried during the court proceedings, which ended with Magistrate Alexandra Burt determining the risk of the accused endangering the safety of the alleged victim and reoffending were too high, The Canberra Times reported.
Police allege Patel gave the 15-year-old girl alcohol and repeatedly sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated, then gave her money and told her “keep this a secret”.
The alleged victim went to police a few days later, and last week officers raided the café and his home, Region Canberra reported.
Magistrate Burt noted that court documents suggested there was “significant evidence” in the case, including police claims that the alleged incident was partially caught on CCTV cameras.
She also told the court that it appeared Patel had lied to police, but defence barrister James Maher disagreed with that assessment.
He told the court his client, who has no criminal history, had told police about hugging the girl, being naked in her presence, and that his clothes were on the floor.
Under questioning from Mr Maher police said Patel had cooperated with the investigation and officers had not seen an “urgent need” to arrest him until after they searched the café and his home.
Patel, who came to Australia in 2013 and is now a citizen, will face court again on May 29.
Header image credit: ACT Courts.
