Mark James Barber, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually assaulting a teenager on Friday
A dance teacher who appeared on Australia's Got Talent has been given a suspended jail term for sexually assaulting a student.
Mark James Barber, from north Brisbane, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on Friday.
The Caboolture Magistrates Court heard the 32-year-old assaulted the teenage student in his office, Caboolture Shire Herald reported.
Barber began touching the student's leg before hugging them and slapping their buttocks.
The court heard Barber said the pair could have been 'f*** buddies' if he was younger.
The victim said the incident left them traumatised and they felt as though they lost their identity.
'Mark twisted the way I felt,' the student said in a victim impact statement.
Barber said he felt 'significant remorse' for his actions and has offered to pay for the teenager's counselling, the court heard.
The court also heard he joined community groups to help correct his behaviour.
Several positive character references were given to the court for Barber.
Barber told the court he felt 'significant remorse' for his actions, and has offered to pay for the teenager's counselling
He said his reputation has been damaged since the incident.
Barber has lost his business and partner since the October assault.
The 32-year-old appeared on Australia's Got Talent in 2013, before working with a team that appeared on the show in 2019.
Magistrate Peter Hasted sentenced Barber to three months in prison.
The sentence was suspended for 18 months.
