A popular TikTok chef who once had more than 67,000 followers allegedly tried to “seduce” and sexually assault teenage girls, a court heard.
Abhishesh Bista, 27, a chef and part-time business owner from Rockhampton, central Queensland, has been charged with a string of offences, including two counts of sexual assault, three of indecent treatment of a child under 16 years and two years of indecent treatment of a child under 15 years of age (permission).
His lawyers lodged an application in Rockhampton District Court this week for three separate trials to test the allegations of three complainants aged between 14 and 15. courier mail reported.
While ruling on the application, Judge Jeff Clarke said Bista had allegedly kissed, fondled and had “other sexual contact with girls who are all of a similar age… during the same period of time”.
Popular TikTok chef Abhishesh Bista (pictured) has been accused of grooming teenage girls and allegedly sexually assaulting them.
“The defendant is alleged to have engaged in similar harassing behaviour,” Judge Clarke told the court.
‘To try to seduce girls.
“An unusual feature is the risk the accused took of (allegedly) causing offense when there were (others around).”
Judge Clarke dismissed the request for the allegations to be heard in separate trials, saying issues of bias that could arise from having multiple complainants would be dealt with by appropriate direction of the jury.
The matter is scheduled to be mentioned next in court this Wednesday.
A pre-taping hearing is scheduled for August 5.
More than 67,000 fans previously followed Bista on TikTok. The popular account has since been deleted.
Abhishesh Bista (pictured) was denied an application at Rockhampton District Court for separate trials for each of the three complainants.