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Off-duty cop gets two-year sentence after sexual assault at Defqon.1 2017

Magistrate Geoff Hiatt described his actions as "reprehensible".

By Unknown AuthorPublished Oct 16, 2018
1 min read
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A drunken off-duty cop who assaulted a woman at last year’s Defqon.1 festival in western Sydney, has been sentenced to two years’ community service.

Constable Mitchell James Willey, 26, who was with NSW Police for 5½ years pleaded guilty to indecent assault yesterday in Penrith Local Court.

The court heard that on September 17, 2017, a shirtless Willey saw the victim walk out of the toilet block and re-join her boyfriend.

Willey walked in between the couple and grabbed her between her legs.

The victim had jumped back and shouted, “Don’t touch me!”

The man had replied “Yeah”, laughed and kept walking.

A group of police officers had been walking behind him and witnessed the incident, and Willey was arrested. He initially denied he had been responsible for any wrongdoing.

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NSW Police suspended Willey on full pay for 13 months and, according to his barrister, it looked like he would now lose his job.

He said that a moment of "absolute madness" had ended Willey’s "lifelong ambition of his to be an officer and to serve the people of NSW".

Magistrate Geoff Hiatt described his actions as "reprehensible", and found Wiley was not genuinely remorseful.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

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