A Ukrainian man has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after indecently assaulting and exposing himself to multiple women at several beaches in Perth’s northern suburbs.
Incidents at North Beach and Sorrento Beach
Aleksandr Stezhko was sentenced at Joondalup Magistrates Court on Monday over three offences — two counts of indecent acts in public and one count of unlawful indecent assault — which occurred across Sorrento Beach and North Beach in March and April this year.
Police say the first incident unfolded after the 68-year-old tried engaging in conversation with a woman half his age during her morning run along North Beach on March 19. Later, the woman was sunbathing on the sand when she noticed Stezhko “hanging around near her towel”.
“When she got up and went for a swim, she realised the accused had followed her,” the police prosecutor told the court. “The accused approached her and said, ‘swim, swim’ ... the accused followed her into the water and attempted to swim close to her.”
Stezhko then touched the woman on her back, prompting her to get out of the ocean, grab her bag and run towards the public outdoor showers. He then chased her, touching her on the buttocks and saying words to the effect of, “very hot, very hot”, before attempting to kiss her on the cheek.
“The victim did not consent to the accused touching her or trying to kiss her,” the prosecutor said. The prosecutor said the “shocked and fearful” woman ran home, during which Stezhko followed her on his bike. The incident was later reported to police.
Second and Third Victims
Less than a month later on April 11, Stezhko approached and “circled” another woman on Sorrento Beach, making her feel “uncomfortable and unsafe”. To avoid engaging with him, the woman covered her face with her hat, during which he groaned whilst repeatedly telling her she was beautiful. “The victim lifts her hat and sees the accused is sexually aroused,” the prosecutor said. The woman rushed into the water and stayed there for several minutes until Stezhko left the area. Later that afternoon, Stezhko followed the woman as she went into the water for one final swim, “removing his black swim briefs and going into the water fully naked”.
And the following day, Stezhko approached a third woman at Sorrento Beach, touching her knee, asking her, “is the water cold?” “The victim attempted to ignore the accused and tried looking at her phone in an effort to stop the accused from talking to her,” the prosecutor said. The woman later realised Stezhko was performing a lewd act.
Defence and Sentencing
Stezhko’s defence lawyer said his client — who is on remand at Hakea Prison — was born and raised in Ukraine, but had moved to Perth with his wife last year to help with their grandchildren. He said there was “no explanation or excuse” for Stezhko’s behaviour, but said his client was suffering with cognitive decline. “He had groin issues, that’s why he took his clothes off,” he said. “He accepts what he was doing in those public spaces was indecent ... he acknowledges the distress, concern and difficult position he put these young women in.”
The defence lawyer also said Stezhko had plans to follow his family home to Russia “as soon as he can”.
Magistrate Andrew Maughan acknowledged Stezhko was remorseful, but condemned his behaviour, saying all women deserved to feel safe at the beach. “Your wife and daughter, like any other woman, is entitled to go to the beach and feel safe and not to be stalked by people like you,” he said.
Stezhko was fined a total of $4000, and has been ordered to remain in custody until the fines are paid.
