Suspended lawyer fined $5k for groping underage girl

But magistrate Andrew Waters in April found the 46-year-old guilty of a single charge of sexual assault following a 10-day contested hearing.

In sentencing Thexton on Friday morning, Mr Waters described the offending as quick and opportunistic.

"It was, however, more than a brief brushing past," the magistrate said.

Thexton had left a King Street strip club with friends on the night of September 25, 2019, when he came across the girl.

The 17-year-old was out the front of a kebab shop after attending an underage event with friends.

Thexton spoke to two of her mates, who told him they were underage, and he invited them to go to a bar but they declined.

He then went into the kebab shop but exited without buying any meals.

As he left, he had to pass closely by the girl's group and he grabbed or squeezed the girl's left buttock with his left hand.

Mr Waters ruled the action was deliberate and sexual before finding Thexton guilty of sexual assault.

The magistrate accepted the contact was brief and over the girl's clothing, and there was no evidence of any planning before the offence.

But the girl was only 17 while Thexton was a 40-year-old solicitor at the time, Mr Waters said.

"As a lawyer and officer of the court, it is my view he ought to be held to a higher standard," the magistrate said.

Mr Waters took into account the year delay in Thexton being charged, and the fact he had no prior criminal history and had not re-offended in the six years since the sexual assault.

Thexton was also suspended from practising law and he suffered reputational damage as a result, Mr Waters noted.

But the magistrate said Thexton still denied the offending and had shown no remorse for the girl.

"She was a young woman, simply enjoying a night out with her friends," Mr Waters said.

"She had a right to expect that she could do so without being concerned about being touched without her consent."

Thexton was convicted and fined $5000, although he has already flagged an intention to appeal.

He told AAP he did not knowingly make any contact with the complainant. 

"I have been held to a higher standard on a finding of guilt," Thexton said in a statement.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028