Man admits sexual assault at Ronald McDonald House

A man has admitted indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl while staying at a Ronald McDonald House.

Ace Bradley Marsh, 30, had been at a casino in Auckland with a male associate on April 3 before the two returned to the charity accommodation in Grafton.

It had been arranged for Marsh, of Taranaki, to sleep on a couch at the unit, as the beds were being occupied by two female associates.

But Marsh instead got into one of the beds, next to a sleeping 16-yearold, the New Plymouth District Court was told on Thursday.

While in the bed, he began to indecently touch the teen. She woke and punched Marsh in the face before running to the bathroom and locking the door behind her. Marsh followed her and tried to apologise before leaving the unit a short time later.

When spoken to by police, he admitted his actions and that he knew it was wrong.

In court, Marsh pleaded guilty to a charge of indecently assaulting a female over the age of 16, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.

Judge Gregory Hikaka ordered a pre-sentence report and referred the matter to restorative justice. Marsh will be sentenced on March 11.