Restaurant Owner Accused of Sexually Assaulting Teenage Staff Members

Two mothers testified in the trial of Gunaseelan Manoharan, the owner of the Horsham Indian fusion restaurant, Rooh, who faces six counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The jurors heard that Manoharan allegedly locked a 16-year-old girl outside in an enclosed courtyard for half an hour after she spilled a coffee, and that he had a pattern of inappropriately touching his teenage staff members under the guise of cleaning their uniform. One of the mothers testified that her daughter came home "hysterical" after a run-in with Manoharan and resigned from her job, while a former high school boyfriend of one of the alleged victims testified that the girls had told him about Manoharan's behavior, including touching them inappropriately and taking group photos with his hand on their bottom.

Key Takeaways:

• Manoharan is accused of sexually assaulting six teenage staff members, including locking a 16-year-old girl outside in an enclosed courtyard for half an hour after she spilled a coffee.
• The prosecution alleges that Manoharan used the guise of cleaning dirty uniforms as a means of covering up his criminality and inappropriately touching his teenage staff members, including a 15-year-old girl on multiple occasions.
• Two mothers testified in the trial, one of whom said her daughter came home "hysterical" after a run-in with Manoharan and resigned from her job.
• A former high school boyfriend of one of the alleged victims testified that the girls had told him about Manoharan's behavior, including touching them inappropriately and taking group photos with his hand on their bottom.
• Manoharan's defense lawyer suggested that one of the mothers may have encouraged her daughter to make up a story about sexual assault as "revenge" for underpayment, but she denied this.
• The Case is being heard at Ballarat County Court.

Statistics:

• Six counts of sexual assault are being brought against Manoharan.
• One count of false imprisonment is being brought against Manoharan.
• 15-year-old girl was allegedly touched by Manoharan multiple times, including being patted on the breast, legs, and bottom under the guise of cleaning her uniform.
• 16-year-old girl was allegedly locked outside in an enclosed courtyard for half an hour after spilling a coffee.
• Average number of staff members at Rooh (Owners Indian Fusion Restaurant) is not provided
• High staff turnover at Rooh (Owners Indian Fusion Restaurant) is not stated

Sources:

• Amy Roulston - Journalist, Ballarat
• Ballarat County Court Records (Case file: not specified)
• Gunaseelan Manoharan - Restaurant Owner, Rooh (Indian Fusion Restaurant)
• Prosecutor - Ballarat County Court