- Real estate agent’s license suspended
- He took advantage of two women during job interviews
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A real estate agent caught harassing young women during job interviews has been banned from working in the industry, a court has been told.
Steven Tabban, 39, returned to Victoria County Court on Wednesday for a preliminary sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
Arguing the court should impose a fine or good behavior bond, attorney Emman Turnbull said the 20-year real estate veteran had his license canceled in August last year as a result of the violation.
“It was his identity, it was who he was, it was what he did,” he said.
“This has caused years of damage to his business… He has lost all of his ability to pursue his career.”
Steven Tabban, 39, appeared in Victoria County Court on Wednesday for a preliminary sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault.
The court was told the new father’s case had been adjourned last year to give him the opportunity to complete a 20-week behavior change program for men and receive treatment from a psychologist.
Turnbull said Tabban had “done everything the court had asked of him” and had shown remorse, contrition and understanding of his offending.
“In my opinion, that person should be given the opportunity to move on with their life,” he said.
Turnbull said Tabban had found the behavior change program “extremely useful” both in his professional life and at home.
According to court documents, Tabban, a director at Create Real Estate in Sunshine in Melbourne’s west, intentionally sexually touched two young women without consent during out-of-hours interviews at his workplace.
He tried to kiss a woman, touching her thigh and bra before she told him she felt uncomfortable.
The following year, he grabbed a woman’s hand and tried to force her to touch his penis.
Prosecutor Richard Pirrie argued that a good behavior bond would be inappropriate and that the court should impose a sentence for the offence.
Prosecutor Richard Pirrie argued that a good behavior bond would be inappropriate and that the court should impose a sentence for the offence.
He noted Tabban’s “position of power” in committing the crimes, the use of an isolated location and the age difference with his victims, who were 19 and 21 at the time.
Judge Gregory Lyon adjourned the case, saying he wanted time to consider the parties’ submissions.
Tabban will return to court at a later date.