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Japanese national admits to molesting woman in Far East Square toilet

Murase Wataru pleaded guilty to one count of molestation and two counts of criminal trespass. (PHOTO: Getty Images)
Murase Wataru pleaded guilty to one count of molestation and two counts of criminal trespass. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

In October last year, a 29-year-old warehouse manager entered a female toilet at Far East Square six times within half an hour, a district court heard on Thursday (1 November).

On his final visit, Murase Wataru found a 20-year-old woman inside washing her hands at a sink. He then stepped behind her and slipped his hands down her top to grope her breasts.

Even when the victim squatted and screamed, Wataru persisted in molesting her. He then ran out of the toilet.

At the State Courts on Thursday (1 November), the Japanese national pleaded guilty to one count of molestation and two counts of criminal trespass. Another two charges of criminal trespass will be considered when he is sentenced at a later date.

Odd behaviour

The court heard that Wataru entered the female toilet at level 1 of Far East Square, in between Subway and Starbucks, at 11.36pm on 12 October last year. He left the toilet almost immediately.

Less than a minute later, at 11.37pm, he entered the toilet again for a few seconds.

At 11.43pm, he again entered the female toilet, but was chased out by a woman. He hovered around the area until she left.

Wataru then entered the female toilet again at 11.59pm and again at 12.01am that night.

At 12.04am, the victim saw Wataru bolting out of the toilet while she was at its entrance. “The victim assumed that he was drunk and entered the toilet,” said Deputy Public Prosecutor Amanda Han.

However, just minutes later, Wataru ran into the toilet again – which is when he molested the victim.

Identified through CCTV footage

The victim made a police report later that day. Wataru was identified through CCTV footage from nearby security cameras.

He is expected to be sentenced on 26 November.

The penalty for molestation is up to two years’ jail, a fine, caning, or any combination of such punishments. The maximum punishment for criminal trespass is up to three months’ jail and a fine of up to $1,500.

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