Man in court over alleged indecent assault at cinema

File Photo / NZ Herald.

West Auckland's alleged movie groper says he wants his identity to remain secret to protect his own young children.

The man is accused of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an Event Cinemas movie theatre in the Westfield, WestCity mall in Henderson, on January 21.

It's alleged he touched the girl several times when the lights were dimmed.

The man also faces one charge each of being unlawfully in the mall and obtaining by deception his $11.50 entry into the cinema.

He entered no pleas when he appeared in the Waitakere District Court today and was bailed until next month. Until then his name is suppressed.

When the man was asked by APNZ if he wanted his suppression to continue, he said: "Obviously, wouldn't you?''

He wanted his case to remain out of the media spotlight in order to protect his family and young children.

The man said he didn't know yet how he would plead to the charges.

"I don't know what happened to me that day. It was just a brain explosion,'' he said.

"I hope you understand my situation here.''

The experience had left him "feeling drained''.

Police say the man handed himself in on Friday night because of publicity about the alleged incident.