A Ballarat County Court jury has found 42-year-old Gunaseelan Manoharan guilty of multiple sexual assault offences involving both a minor and an adult.
Manoharan, who moved to Australia from India in 2014, could face deportation if the federal government cancels his visa.
According to the Daily Mail, the court heard that Manoharan, who previously ran Rooh Indian Contemporary Restaurant and Bar in Horsham, sexually assaulted a teenage staff member between March 2021 and January 2022, as well as an adult employee. The restaurant, located on a Horsham Rural City–operated site, closed in March 2023.
During the hearing, Manoharan caused a dramatic scene after being remanded in custody. He briefly fled the dock to embrace family members in court before being escorted back into custody.
The teenage victim provided a statement describing the lasting impact of the assaults, including struggles with anxiety, mistrust, and the need for professional support to cope with trauma. The adult victim also reported inappropriate physical contact, which ultimately led her to leave the workplace.
Judge John Kelly is scheduled to sentence Manoharan on 12th of November .
