Man admits hassling teen

Robert Branco of Smith’s introduced himself to the 15-year-old girl at Harbour Nights on July 17.

Crown counsel Susan Mulligan told the court the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was at Harbour Nights on Front Street with two of her friends.

Branco approached the group at around 8pm at the corner of Front Street and Burnaby Street.

He began to walk with them down Front Street and introduced himself to the girl.

He asked her name but she declined to answer.

Branco then asked her if she had a boyfriend. The girl said: “No, and I don't want one”.

The defendant then told the girl how old he was and that he was single.

The court heard Branco put his arm around the girl’s waist repeatedly and made her uncomfortable.

She asked him to stop repeatedly and pulled away each time.

The court heard the defendant then put his arms around her neck and again was told to stop by the victim.

Branco then grabbed her bra strap through her shirt and the girl had to tell him multiple times to let it go.

The court heard the girl was frightened of Branco and went inside a store to get away from him. He eventually left.

The victim’s father picked her up from the store and they reported the matter to police.

Branco was arrested the following day and the victim identified him in an identification parade.

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner adjourned the matter to October 9 and ordered various pre-sentencing reports.