Man fondles church-mate

A 58 year old man from Epworth allegedly fondled a church-mate's daughter's breasts and buttocks.

The girl is aged 16.

Ricky Gondo denied the claims in court saying he never had an intimate relationship with the girl.

He was granted $50 bail.

He said in court "I do not know anything about what is being levelled against me because the father of the complainant came to my house accusing me of having an affair with his wife.

"I even gave him my phone to check for messages he said we were texting each other in my phone and he did not find any".

The court heard that sometime in July, Gondo proposed love to the girl in church and she agreed.

Gondo communicated with the girl who was using her mother's mobile phone, with text messages.

Also Gondo used to ferry the girl from home to school.

Along the way it is said Gondo would then fondle the victims breasts and buttocks with her consent.

The victim's father came to know of the said affair after he discovered Gondo's mobile number appearing frequently on his wife's mobile.

That led to a misunderstanding between Gondo and his wife who was suspecting that she was the one having an affair with Gondo.

The girl ended up opening up to her parents about his Gondo affair.