A MAN has been sentenced to 18 months' jail for groping a woman in a crowded Wagga nightclub in 2014.
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Lee Geppert, 47, who previously resided in East Wagga and is now in Gundagai, appeared in Wagga District Court yesterday after he was found guilty earlier this year of one count of indecent assault.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge after being arrested in March last year.
The court heard that in February 2014 the victim went to what was the Capital Nightclub on Baylis Street where she caught up with Geppert.
At one point, the pair decided to finish their drinks near a lounge, which was when Geppert put his left hand up the victim's dress and indecently touched her.
The victim then pushed him away before telling her sister's friend about the incident.
She then left the nightclub, saying she felt nauseous and shaken.
In court on Thursday, Judge Gordon Lerve described Geppert's actions as "disgraceful".
"He blatantly put his hand under her dress and grabbed the victim, indicating that it was more than mere touching," Judge Lerve said.
"Women are entitled to go to licensed premises to enjoy themselves ... without the expectation that they're going to be assaulted in an indecent and disgraceful fashion."
Earlier in the hearing, defence barrister Andrew Metcalf argued for Geppert to serve a community-based sentence instead of prison.
"This [offence] was a momentary action," Mr Metcalf said.
"It took place in a public place in contrast with a situation where an offender may have isolated the victim away from a crowded area."
Mr Metcalf also submitted that Geppert is willing to undergo rehabilitation programs and that he has lined up an apprenticeship in cabinet making.
However, Crown Prosecutor Paul Kerr argued that jail was the only appropriate sentence.
"It was a momentary action only because the victim made it so," he said.
Mr Kerr also labelled a report that found Geppert having a low risk of reoffending was "oversimplistic".
In sentencing Geppert, Judge Lerve said that while he could not find that Geppert was remorseful, there are positive signs of rehabilitation.
Geppert was also sentenced to a 30-month community corrections order for one count of knowingly taking part in supplying a prohibited drug, which is unrelated to the indecent assault.
In April, he was acquitted of charges relating to an alleged rape involving a different woman.
He will be eligible for parole in July next year.