A “VIP” diner and regular visitor to an exclusive Sydney restaurant has been accused of attempting to undo a waitress’s corset while she served him caviar and vodka shots during lunch.
Matthew Palavidis, 63, managing director of Acoustic Logic Consultancy, appeared at Waverley Local Court on Thursday, October 31 for a hearing regarding the allegations.
The Darling Point resident has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually touching another person without consent and common assault.
The accusations stem from a busy lunch service last year when Palavidis and two friends dined at a venue known for attracting celebrity clientele, which has not been named for legal reasons.
Around 1pm on the day in question, Palavidis allegedly tried to undo the waitress’s corset-style top as she served his table “bumps of caviar with vodka shots.” The court heard that the waitress was wearing a white corset-style top secured with “zigzag like strings” tied in a bow at her chest.
It is claimed that Palavidis, using his finger and thumb, “pulled the strings” of the corset in an attempt to undo it. During her testimony, the waitress was asked if she had confused Palavidis with the “70 to 130” other guests she served that day.
“That is the man who assaulted me,” she told the court, identifying Palavidis. She further noted that he had been “flagged” by venue management as a “very important” and “frequent” guest prior to this incident.
CCTV footage presented in court showed the alleged victim serving Palavidis, but did not capture the alleged touching.
“When you watch the CCTV, there is no offence,” defence solicitor Paul McGirr argued in court.
McGirr also expressed concerns about the police handling of the case, which had been transferred between three officers, resulting in a significant delay between the alleged incident and the charges being filed.
He questioned why the constable currently handling the case had not sought additional witnesses, describing it as “an oversight.”
Magistrate Michael Barko referred to the matter as “very tricky,” stating that the court must consider “whether pulling strings on a top is considered sexual touching.”
In a statement to this publication, McGirr mentioned that further evidence is available and expressed confidence it would exonerate Palavidis.
“We can’t say much except fortunately there is footage available, not only from the restaurant but from one of my client’s friends and witnesses, which we are confident will prove my client didn’t do anything as alleged,” he said.
The hearing has been adjourned until May 2 of 2025.
Source: Daily Telegraph.
