A man was arrested on a charge of sexual assault after touching the backside of a woman on a crowded train, according to police in Japan.
Osaka police said that they have arrested the man, who was not identified, after the woman filed a complaint with the police about being touched inappropriately during her afternoon commute home from work.
Now, a judge has dismissed the sexual assault charge after the defendant claimed he just wanted to steal the woman’s wallet and did not have any sexual intent.
Prosecutors told the judge that the defendant was willing to admit to stealing as the penalties for theft is less than for sexual assault.
The defendant told the court that he was on a crowded train at the Osaka Loop Line around 4:00 p.m., when he attempted to steal something from another passenger.
However, just as he reached out, the train began to tremble, causing his hand to strike the woman’s backside. The woman told police that the defendant touched her backside for more than 30 seconds.
Prosecutors were seeking a two-year prison sentence for the sexual assault charge while a conviction for theft usually involves just getting a fine.