Canberra cafe manager refused bail after alleged sexual assault of teenaged staff memberBy Elizabeth ByrneTopic:Courts33m ago33 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 5:59amThe cafe owner and manager has been remanded in custody by the ACT Magistrates Court. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)In short Dhiren Patel is facing three charges of rape, one charge of committing an act of indecency and one of supplying alcohol to a young person. The 32-year-old was refused bail. What's next? The case will return to court at the end of the month. abc.net.au/news/canberra-cafe-manger-refused-bail-alleged-sexual-assault-of-teen/105269688Link copiedShareShare articleA Canberra cafe manager is behind bars after he was denied bail in the ACT Magistrates Court for allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl he allegedly told "let's keep this a secret".Dhiren Patel, 32, was also a part owner of the cafe and is facing multiple charges.They are three charges of rape, one charge of committing an act of indecency and one of supplying alcohol to a young person after the alleged offences against the girl who worked at the cafe.The court heard the offence was partially captured on CCTV.Bail denied due to risk of reoffendingProsecutor Liam Taylor told the court it was an overwhelming case and he was concerned Mr Patel might reoffend or pose a threat to the alleged victim.He urged the court to refuse bail, saying no conditions would suffice to help the situation.Mr Patel's lawyer James Maher disagreed saying his client could be controlled if ordered not to leave his house except in the company of his wife.Magistrate Alexandra Burt told Mr Maher she had concerns about releasing him even on strict conditions."I think the account your client has given the police ... it's hard to reconcile with the CCTV."But Mr Maher said the footage was consistent with admissions, including that he was in the kitchen with the girl, that his clothes were on the floor, and that he was naked in her presence.He told the court it was a reasonably strong case but not overwhelming.Magistrate Burt said the case represented a significant power imbalance, which included claims Mr Patel gave the girl alcohol, as well as "allegations that while she was intoxicated he did have sexual relations with her".She said the claims he gave her money and urged her to keep it secret were also concerning.Magistrate Burt said in circumstances where the allegations included grooming and a breach of trust, the risks were too great.The case will return to court later this month.Posted 33m ago33 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 5:59amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonPhoto shows Anika Wells Amanda Rishworth Katie Gallagher Anne AlyAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upLIVEPhoto shows Mark Dreyfus standing at the dispatch box in the federal parliament.Two men found guilty of murdering Indigenous schoolboy Cassius TurveyTopic:HomicidePhoto shows Cassius Turvey Forever 15Erin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtPopular nowAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upLIVEPhoto shows Mark Dreyfus standing at the dispatch box in the federal parliament.Greens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopErin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtRelated topicsCanberraCourtsCrimeSexual OffencesTop StoriesGreens leader Adam Bandt concedes seat, ending 15 years in parliamentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Adam Bandt press gallery doorstopMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett WorthingtonAttorney-General Mark Dreyfus dumped from frontbench in factional carve-upTopic:Government and PoliticsTwo men found guilty of murdering Indigenous schoolboy Cassius TurveyTopic:HomicideErin Patterson visibly upset as daughter gives evidence at murder trialTopic:Law, Crime and JusticeJust InGovernment shouldn't tell parents how to discipline kids, Crisafulli saysTopic:Parenting8m ago8 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:24amJail term doubled for 'muppets' involved in 100kg cocaine import attemptTopic:Cocaine19m ago19 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:12amMore women in Labor than ever but top jobs still going to menBAnalysis by Brett Worthington21m ago21 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:11amSoviet spacecraft will crash back to Earth within 48 hours, data suggestsTopic:Explainer22m ago22 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 6:10amMore Just InBack to top