Father accused of assaulting girl on train fronts court

A father accused of indecently assaulting a 12-year-old girl aboard a busy train has faced court after months on the run.

Security cameras allegedly caught Devanesan Devadakayam, 32, assaulting the girl on a train bound for Sydney’s Parramatta while her parents sat just an arm’s distance away on New Year’s Day.

Mr Devadakayam is then accused of entering his number into his mobile phone, before showing it to his alleged victim and wishing her family a “Happy New Year”.

After allegedly using a disguise to evade police, the 32-year-old Indian chef was arrested in Perth and extradited to Sydney to appear at Parramatta Court.

He was refused bail, with the magistrate dubbing him a flight risk.

"Such appalling incidents occur frequently on packed stations and buses within India,”  Magistrate Rabbidge told the court.

The accused sobbed as he learned work colleagues tipped off police.

Mr Devadakayam’s pregnant wife and child remain in India.

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