In the heart of the Covid-19 lockdown, at 10.45pm, the defendant was in the Dunedin Northern Cemetery when the 60-year-old victim entered the grounds with his dog.
As they passed each other, the defendant doubled back to follow and grabbed the man.
“The defendant held on to the victim by the buttocks for about two to three seconds,” a police summary said.
He tried to engage the victim in conversation but the man fled.
In a statement, the victim said the experience made him feel “uncomfortable and a little disturbed”.
He had no lasting fears for his safety, but said of the offender, “I’m concerned if his behaviour goes unchecked … He may reoffend … and potentially escalate his offending.”