McDonald’s supervisor guilty of sexual assault

A McDonald’s supervisor who inappropriately touched a teenage trainee while alone with her in the fast-food chain’s freezer section, has been convicted of sexual assault.

Geary Tolontino Fernandes, 34 from Toothill, Swindon, claimed the contact that happened last year was accidental but the young victim’s evidence during the trial proved it was clearly no accident.

Today (10 August 2023) at Swindon Magistrates’ Court Fernandes was convicted of one count of sexual assault following a trial.

Fernandes had been tasked with training and supporting the victim who was a new member of staff, but instead his actions made her feel uncomfortable, and he took the opportunity to sexually assault her whilst alone in the freezer section of the fast-food restaurant.

Julie Macey, CPS Wessex Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: “I would like to commend the victim in this case for bravely coming forward to report what must have been a very distressing and traumatic experience.

“Fernandes clearly took advantage of his position as a McDonald’s supervisor and his behaviour towards this young female member of staff was an appalling abuse of trust.

“The CPS takes all allegations of sexual misconduct seriously and will always seek to prosecute offenders when our legal test is met.”