Accused Westfield predator leaves a magistrate shocked as he’s accused of sexually assaulting NINE shoppers – including two girls, 6 and 9 – during a single trip to the shopping mall
- Luke Gowman, 26, charged over 21 alleged assaults in Sydney on December 21
- He allegedly sexually touched and attacked nine shoppers in Liverpool Westfield
- Gowman faced Liverpool Court on Monday via video link from prison
- His matter was adjourned for a week so he could seek legal representation
An accused serial sex pest who allegedly groped and attacked nine shoppers – including two children – during a single visit to a shopping mall has fronted court.
Luke Gowman, 26, was arrested after allegedly sexually touching and assaulting several people at Liverpool Westfield, in Sydney’s south west, four days before Christmas.
He was initially taken into custody at the scene for allegedly touching two young girls, aged nine and six, before seven more alleged victims came forward.
Gowman – who has remained in custody since his arrest – appeared in front of Liverpool Local Court on Monday, charged with 21 offences over the alleged incident.
Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim Gowman was told Gowman had turned down the services of Legal Aid NSW and would be representing himself.
Luke Gowman, 26, was arrested after allegedly sexually touching and assaulting nine shoppers in Sydney’s southwest days before Christmas
However, when Mr Abdul-Karim asked Gowman to confirm if that was the case, the alleged offender said he would be seeking a private lawyer.
‘I have a lawyer in Sydney. I am planning to see my lawyer as soon as I get out (of custody)’ Gowman told the court.
Mr Abdul-Karim appeared shocked by Gowman’s suggestion he was expecting to be released on bail.
‘You’re in custody with your bail refused on these allegations, you have already made an application for bail and bail was refused,’ Mr Abdul-Karim said.
Mr Abdul-Karim offered to give Gowman an adjournment to seek a lawyer or said he could alternatively enter a plea and be sentenced on the spot.
Gowman asked what sentence he would be facing for the alleged crimes, with Mr Abdul-Karim saying he was not sure, but the charges were ‘serious’.
‘I don’t want to adjourn it indefinitely. It is in your best interest to see a lawyer,’ Mr Adbdul-Karim told Gowman.
Police were called to Liverpool Westfield (pictured) about 3.15pm to reports two young girls had allegedly been touched by a man
‘If you don’t have the funds, it is in your best interest to seek legal aid at least to assist you to proceed with the matter.’
Four days before Christmas, police were called to the shopping centre about 3.15pm to reports a man had allegedly touched two young girls.
A short time later, Gowman was stopped by security guards as he was leaving the centre and was arrested then charged with two counts of common assault, stalk/intimidate intend fear of physical harm.
Police later slapped Gowman with a further 18 charges after investigators uncovered he had allegedly sexually touched and assaulted a further seven people.
They included three counts of sexual touching, four counts of intentionally sexually touch a child under 10 years, two counts of intentionally touch child aged between 10 and 16 years, and nine counts of common assault.
Court documents exclusively obtained by Daily Mail Australia show Gowman is currently homeless and police will allege the offences occurred in the two and a half hours between 12:38pm and 3pm.
According to his online profiles, Gowman works as a scaffolder who is ‘enjoying life to its fullest potential’, with a love of ‘travel and fitness and motorbikes’.
On one of his social media pages, he describes himself as ‘rapper low-key Lukey’, alongside photos of him posing for mirror selfies, sitting on a Harley Davidson, and playing with pitbulls.
Police Prosecutor Shane Arie told the court the matter had been referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The case was adjourned until January 16.
Gowman, who was remanded in custody following his arrest last month, faced Liverpool Local court on Monday
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