A man who kissed a woman’s breast on a Memorial University elevator has pleaded guilty to sexual assault.

Farhood Azarsina, 25, of Iran entered the plea Monday in provincial court.
He will be sentenced Thursday.

Azarsina, a PhD student in engineering, admitted kissing the top of the woman’s breast while the two were on an elevator at the St. John’s school on Sept. 27

He apologized on the stand, explaining he acted on impulse.
Azarsina said he didn’t realize the seriousness of the offence in this country.

“For sure, it was a terrible thing to do,” Azarsina said in court.

“Back home, if you do this, they slap you. And if the woman calls the police, the police slap you.”

“Now I understand,” he said. “I know I’m not allowed to touch. It was just a mistake.”