Melbourne man, 71, charged after allegedly assaulting woman on flight from LA

A 71-year-old man has faced court charged with indecently assaulting a female passenger while she was asleep onboard a long-haul Qantas Flight.

The Melbourne man was detained by Federal police at Tullamarine airport but is now on bail.

Mounir Botros is facing a federal charge of indecent assault.

The Bulleen man was on Qantas flight 94 from Los Angeles to Melbourne on Monday.

It's alleged he reached under the clothing of a female passenger who was sleeping and touched her inappropriately.

The woman told the cabin crew and was moved, while the AFP was alerted and arrested Botros once the plane landed.

He was charged with one count of committing an act of indecency without consent which carries a maximum penalty of seven years behind bars.

Botros faced Broadmeadows' magistrates court via video link today, but didn't speak during the hearing.

He has been allowed to remain on bail with certain conditions.

His lawyer tried to stop the media from reporting on her clients name, saying the publicity has had a catastrophic psychological impact on him.

But the application was withdrawn soon after.The prosecution says it needed more time to complete its brief of evidence.

Botroswill face court in Melbourne in November.

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