Colombian café owner is accused of allegedly plunging his hand down a nine-year-old girl’s pants just metres from one of his businesses
- A Canberra cafe owner is accused of indecently assaulting a nine-year-old girl
- Diego Andres Barragan Quintero pleaded not guilty to committing indecent act
- It is alleged the man put his hands down the young girl's pants on March 21, 2019
A cafe owner has pleaded not guilty to the alleged indecent assault of a nine-year-old girl only metres from his business.
Police allege Canberra cafe owner Diego Andres Barragan Quintero, 32, waited for the young girl in an underpass before forcing himself on her on March 31, 2019.
Mr Quintero allegedly grabbed the girl as she entered the underpass and put his hands down the back of her pants and rubbed her bottom, ACT Magistrates Court heard.
After allegedly screaming for the Colombian national to stop, the young girl fled the scene, the Canberra Times reported.
Canberra cafe owner Diego Andres Barragan Quintero, 32, (pictured) is accused of grabbing a nine-year-old girl from behind and putting his hands down the back of her pants
Mr Quintero was arrested on Monday after an 'extensive' investigation by police.
CCTV footage tendered to the court shows Mr Quintero returning to his business, Cafe Bolivar, in a hooded jumper moments after the alleged incident.
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He told the court he had heard a young girl screaming 'get away' near his cafe and had gone out to check but found no one outside.
However police allege a forensic examination of the jumper Mr Quintero was wearing that day and the victim's top proved the two garments came into contact.
Defence lawyer Andrew Fraser petitioned the court to keep Mr Quintero's name suppressed but Magistrate Beth Campbell denied the application.
Mr Quintero allegedly grabbed the girl in an underpass near his business before she screamed for him to stop and was able to get away (stock image)
'This is one jurisdiction in particular that prides itself on the openness of the information that is able to be provided to the community,' she said.
Instead Magistrate Campbell granted the cafe owner bail saying she was 'satisfied' Mr Quintero would appear in court when required.
A host of bail conditions were also imposed on Mr Quintero including the surrender of his passports and entering into a $5,000 self-surety agreement.
His partner is also required to deposit a $2,000 cash surety with the court.
Mr Quintero was charged with committing an act of indecency on a child and will reappear in court in August.
Defence lawyer Andrew Fraser petitioned the Canberra Magistrates Court (pictured) to keep Mr Quintero's name suppressed the application was denied by Magistrate Beth Campbell
