Teen enters guilty plea to groping former Bachelor contestant Ellie Rolfe on Wandina morning walk

A Geraldton teenager who groped a reality TV star during a morning walk, prompting her reveal her shock on Instagram, could avoid punishment. The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting former Bachelor reality TV star Ellie Rolfe during his appearance in the Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday. Police prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones said about 7.30am on April 30, Rolfe was on a morning walk in Wandina when the 17-year-old rode past on his bicycle and said hello. The court was told the teen circled back around and rode behind her before using his right hand to grope her on the buttocks. Rolfe dropped her mobile phone and told the teenager “you f... off”. Sgt Jones said the incident was captured on CCTV cameras, and the boy handed himself into police about a week later, telling officers “I’m sorry, I made a stupid mistake”. Defence lawyer Bradley Romero requested the teen be referred to court conferencing before imposing any punishment, stating the incident was out of character. “It was a lapse of his judgment . . . there is suitable programs that can be put in place,” he said. Sgt Jones said a youth court order could be a more appropriate punishment, as it could provide the teen with counselling for his behaviour. “I’m not sure as to what programs or intervention court conferencing are going to be able to provide with regard to this type of offence,” he said. Magistrate Matthew Walton said he shared the same concerns as the prosecution, but referred him to court conferencing. If the boy completes that successfully, no punishment is imposed. The matter was adjourned until September 24 and the teen’s bail was extended. A day after the incident, Rolfe shared the terrifying moment on Instagram, telling her followers she wasn’t “even safe on a bloody morning walk in broad daylight”. “No words! Like WTF! How is that OK in your head! Huge mental health advocate and you never know what someone is going through BUT this is just utter disrespect and scary!” Rolfe said. “It is never OK to inappropriately touch anyone without consent.”