A 74-year-old man will appear in court this month charged with stalking, after allegedly approaching a 14-year-old girl in Leura.
About 3.30pm on Thursday July 21, a 14-year-old girl was waiting for her parents at Scott Avenue, Leura, when she was approached by a man not known to her. After speaking to her for a brief period, the man walked away before the girl's parents arrived.
The incident was reported to police who started an investigation.
About 4pm on Tuesday August 9, police arrested a 74-year-old man. He was taken to Katoomba Police Station and charged with stalking/intimidation intending fear or physical harm and possessing a prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Katoomba Local Court on Monday August 15.
The incident has prompted police to encourage parents to discuss the 'Safe People, Safe Places' messages with their children. Those messages to children include the following:
- Make sure your parents or another adult you know knows where you are at all times.
- Always walk straight home or to the place you are walking to. Walk near busier roads and streets, or use paths where there are lots of other people.
- Know where safe places are - a shop, service station, police station, library or school. If you are ever frightened, go to one of these places and ask them to call police.
- Learn about safe adults you can look for and talk to if you need help - police officers, teachers at school, adults you know and trust.
- Don't talk to people you don't know and never get into a car with someone you don't know. If a car stops on the side of the road and you don't know the person inside, do not stop.
- If you are scared and can use a phone, call 000 and tell them you are scared.
- If someone tries to grab you, yell out, 'Go away, I don't know you'. This lets other people know.
