USA Marine Kymani Powell guilty of assault

USA  Marine Kymani Powell appeared in Darwin Local Court on Friday 30 September to plead  guilty to unlawfully assaulting a woman at the Landmark Hotel in Palmerston

The  American Marine, who drunkenly groped a woman in a Territory nightclub,  has promised to hold his mates to account and prevent future seedy  assaults.

According to an article in the NT News, Kymani Powell appeared in Darwin Local Court on Friday. He plead guilty to unlawfully assaulting a woman at the Landmark Hotel on Roystonea Ave in Palmerston, on April 30.

Prosecutor Marty Aust said the Marine “forcefully groped” his victim, who was unable to defend  herself in the popular nightclub.

“This was an uninvited, unwanted intrusion on an intimate area of her body by a stranger,” Mr Aust said.

“At the time she felt dirty and shocked.”

According to the paper, Mr Aust said it was a testament to the woman’s strength and maturity that the seedy grope was called out.

“Unfortunately offences where drunken young men can’t keep their hands to themselves occurs frequently.

“But they don’t always come to the courts.

“She called it out, to her credit.

“Young men need to learn to keep their hands to themselves.”

Mr Aust said Powell and his victim had taken part in a Restorative Justice meeting following the assault.

Mr Aust said the woman showed great maturity in meeting her 21-year-old attacker, and accepting his apology.

The  court heard she asked Powell to promise to never again grope another  person, and to hold other men accountable for how they treat women.

Defence: 'exemplary character'

His defence barrister Mary Chalmers said the 21-year-old was determined to uphold his commitment to his victim.

“This young man has very much learnt (his lesson) in the most dramatic way possible,” Ms Chalmers said.

She said Powell was appalled by his own actions.

“He has always shown (women) the respect they deserve,” Ms Chalmers said.

“What he did on the night was way out of character.

“It was … an ill-advised lapse in his otherwise exemplary character.”

Ms Chalmers said it was his first deployment overseas, and Powell had struggled with being separated from his family.

Ms  Chalmers said the young man faced serious consequences, including  putting his job at risk which would also jeopardise his ability to  afford university.

“(But) his stepmum’s disappointment with him is the worst aspect of all of this,” she said.

“He’s been too ashamed to tell her.”

Guilty: no conviction, $150 fine

Ms Chalmers said she was confident Powell would not reoffend, particularly as he was shipping back to American on October 7.

She pushed for the matter to be dismissed, with no conviction.

Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris found him guilty, but did not record a conviction. Powell was also fined $150.