An alleged immigrant sex predator has been granted bail despite being charged with assaulting a young girl at a public Perth swimming pool.
Western Australia Police allege Ahmad Sohib Abdullah, 29, followed the girl, who was not known to him, into the toilets at Bayswater Waves aquatic centre in Embleton on a Sunday afternoon last month before indecently assaulting her.
Abdullah, who lives in Landsdale, was charged with “indecent dealings with a child under 13 years”, but was released on bail after facing Perth Magistrates Court, and will appear in court again later this month, 9News reported.
“I’m just grateful that an arrest has been made, but it just serves as a warning to all parents that they need to be careful,” Police Minister Reece Whitby said when asked about the alleged incident.
Australia-wide about 11% of child victims are abused by strangers, and child safety expert Kristi McVee said parents should teach their children “how to say no”.
“There is a thing call the ’emergency no’, screaming ‘no’, putting their hands up, and [saying] ‘leave me alone’, and then run away,” she said.
WA Police said parents, carers and community members should remain alert, and have “safety conversations” to reduce risk.
“Speak with children about personal safety in a calm and age appropriate way. Encourage them to tell a trusted adult immediately if someone makes them feel uncomfortable, follows them, or behaves inappropriately,” police said.
“Remind children that it is acceptable to leave a situation, seek help from staff, or call out for assistance if they feel unsafe.”
Police released a similar warning on Sunday after a man, described as “dark-skinned with curly hair”, allegedly tried to snatch a boy from basketball courts at a Perth park in broad daylight despite a group of people being nearby.
Header image: The Bayswater Waves aquatic centre toilets (9News).
