Rockhampton TikTok chef Abhishesh Bista is accused of sexually harassing and abusing teenage girls

A popular TikTok chef who once had over 67,000 followers allegedly tried to “seduce” and sexually harass teenage girls, a court heard

Abhishesh Bista, 27, a chef and part-time business owner from Rockhampton in Central Queensland, was charged with a string of offences including two counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent dealings with a child under 16 and two counts of indecent dealings with a child under 15 (with consent).

His lawyers have applied to the Rockhampton District Court this week to hold three separate trials to review allegations made by three plaintiffs aged between 14 and 15, The Courier Mail reported.

In sentencing, Judge Jeff Clarke said Bista allegedly “kissed, groped and had other sexual contact with girls of a similar age… during the same period.”

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“The defendant is accused of engaging in grooming conduct in a similar manner,” Judge Clarke told the court.

“To try to seduce the girls.”

“A special feature is the risk that the accused (allegedly) took in the presence (of other persons) in order to commit a crime.”

Judge Clarke denied the motion to try the charges in separate trials, arguing that any prejudice that might arise from the fact that multiple plaintiffs appear in court would be addressed by appropriate jury instructions.

The case is scheduled to be heard in court again this Wednesday.

A pre-recorded hearing is scheduled for August 5.

Previously, Bista had more than 67,000 fans following him on TikTok. The popular account has since been deleted.