Former school groundskeeper dodges conviction for touching 12-year-old

A 75-year-old Gold Coast grandfather has admitted he ran his hand up a 12-year-old student's leg, while he was employed as a school groundskeeper.

Ronald Baldwin pleaded guilty to one count of assault after he approached a group of four school students while he was using a leaf blower at the school, last September.

He told them, "you girls should move or you'll get dirty from the leaf blower".

Baldwin's defence lawyer said he touched one of the girls on the arm to thank her for moving.

He didn't argue with the police facts that he then ran his hand up her leg, under her school shorts.

His defence lawyer said he was "extremely remorseful and embarrassed".

Baldwin was sentenced to 12 months' probation, with no conviction recorded.