A 21-year-old who asked two girls at a Ballarat playground if they had seen his lost dog before allegedly sexually assaulting them has been released back into the community.
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Fraser Shillington appeared via audio link at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court from custody on Friday to make an application for bail.
Police informant Detective Senior Constable Kellie Berry said Shillington was driving around Soldiers Hill at 5.30pm on March 17 when he saw two girls playing at a Little Clyde Street park.
The court heard Shillington parked on Clyde Street, walked to the park and asked the girls if they had seen his lost dog.
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Detective Senior Constable Berry said the girls, aged 10 and 12, came out of the tunnel they were playing in.
Shillington allegedly touched one of the girls on the breast area and one on the breast and vagina area through their clothing.
The court heard he went back to his car and drove away and the girls left the park to tell their parents.
Police were notified and obtained CCTV of the incident which showed him arriving and then running away wearing a face mask and grey hoodie.
Shillington was arrested at his home on March 30 and made admissions to police that he touched the girls on the breast but denied touching one of the girls on the vagina.
The court heard he had no prior convictions and had not previously come to the attention of police.
Detective Senior Constable Berry said police believed Shillington was an unacceptable risk to the safety and welfare of the community due to the seriousness of the incident.
"He went to a park in broad daylight and sexually assaulted them," she said.
The court heard Shillington lived at home with his family, was doing an online university course and attended a gym regularly.
Detective Senior Constable Berry said she had concerns about Shillington being unsupervised during the day while on bail as the alleged offending happened during the day at a busy park on a busy street.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt asked the informant whether Shillington gave police an explanation for the alleged offending.
Detective Senior Constable Berry said he told police he 'doesn't know what came over him' and 'it was like watching himself', like an out of body experience.
She said Shillington's parents did not raise any concerns about his behaviour prior to the alleged incident.
The court heard the parents said he would regularly go out driving on his own but would usually keep to himself.
Defence lawyer David Tamanika said Shillington's family was willing to support him and have him live at the family home while on bail, where they lived with his two younger siblings.
He said his client was assessed as suitable for the Court Integrated Services Program which could provide supervision and treatment.
Mr Tamanika said Shillington's parents had made an appointment with their general practitioner with a view to source a mental health plan.
He said his client had not previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition.
"Targeted treatment is subject to ongoing consideration by the family," he said.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Giles Brown said the effect on the alleged victims was not yet known but he imagined the girls were fearful.
"He is still an unacceptable risk to the welfare of the public and shouldn't be granted bail at this time," he said.
Mr Klestadt said Shillington was in a situation where he was entitled to bail unless he was satisfied there was an unacceptable risk of releasing him.
He said the alleged offending was 'abhorrent' behaviour, but Shillington was young, lacked criminal priors, had family support and treatment available.
Shillington was bailed with conditions he not attend any park, playground, school or other place where children may be expected to be without being accompanied by an adult family member.
He will complete the Court Integrated Services Program while on bail.
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