Wife stands by groping shopkeeper

Joe Galdo. Photo / Facebook

The wife of a man who molested a customer in the shop where he worked has stood by her husband and even funded the $1000 emotional harm payment for the victim.

Joseph Galdo, 54, was sentenced to four months' home detention today, having pleaded guilty at Auckland District Court to two charges of indecent assault.

Judge Grant Fraser also ordered the four-figure reparation sum be paid to the victim to address the impact his actions had on her.

Galdo's lawyer Mark Utting - who told the court his client was currently unemployed - said the defendant's wife could stump up the cash within two days.

Despite the sentence of home detention, she was keen to get her husband out of the house too.

Lawyers usually ask for minimal sentences for their clients but Mr Utting requested a significant amount of community work for his client.

"He seems to have been sitting at home not doing a lot. His wife thinks so too," he said.

Judge Fraser accordingly ordered him to complete 150 hours, part of which could be used to assist him retraining.

In February, Galdo was working at a business on Queen St in central Auckland.

The name and nature of the business was permanently suppressed by the court on an earlier occasion.

A woman came in to test the products and while she was occupied, Galdo deliberately touched her breasts.

On one occasion he slipped his hand inside her top and under her bra.

"It was not accidental," Judge Fraser said.

He said there was a severe breach of trust and a statement from the victim proved there had been a "clear psychological impact".

"Mr Galdo, I don't anticipate we'll see you back on a future occasion but should you come back, the get-out-of-jail card's been played," the judge said, as the defendant cried in the dock.

"Next time round there will be a sentence of imprisonment and for a significant period of time."