‘Westfield predator’: Luke Gowman refused bail after allegedly assaulting nine people in Liverpool

A serial sexual pest defendant who allegedly groped and assaulted nine shoppers, including two children, during a single visit to a mall has appeared in court.

Luke Gowman, 26, was arrested after allegedly groping and sexually assaulting multiple people in Liverpool Westfield, in south-west Sydney, four days before Christmas.

He was initially detained at the scene for allegedly touching two girls, ages nine and six, before seven more alleged victims came forward.

Gowman, who has been in custody since his arrest, appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Monday, charged with 21 offenses over the alleged incident.

Magistrate Imad Abdul-Karim Gowman was told that Gowman had refused the services of Legal Aid NSW and would represent himself.

Luke Gowman, 26, has been arrested after allegedly groping and sexually assaulting nine shoppers in south-west Sydney days before Christmas.

However, when Abdul-Karim asked Gowman to confirm if that was the case, the alleged criminal said he would find a private lawyer.

I have a lawyer in Sydney. I plan to see my lawyer as soon as I’m released (from custody),’ Gowman told the court.

Abdul-Karim appeared surprised by Gowman’s suggestion that he expected to be released on bail.

“He is in custody with his bail denied on these charges, he has already submitted a bail application and bail was denied,” Abdul-Karim said.

Abdul-Karim offered to give Gowman a reprieve to find a lawyer or said he could alternatively plead guilty and be sentenced on the spot.

Gowman asked what sentence he would face for the alleged crimes, and Abdul-Karim said he wasn’t sure, but the charges were “serious.”

I don’t want to put it off indefinitely. The best thing for you is to see a lawyer,” Mr. Adbdul-Karim told Gowman.

Police were called to Liverpool Westfield (pictured) at around 3:15pm to report that a man had allegedly groped two girls.

“If you do not have the funds, it is in your best interest to seek legal assistance to at least help you pursue the matter.”

Four days before Christmas, police were called to the mall around 3:15 p.m. to report that a man had allegedly groped two girls.

A short time later, security guards stopped Gowman as he was leaving the center and arrested him and later charged him with two counts of common battery, stalking/intimidation with intent to fear bodily harm.

Police later slapped Gowman with another 18 charges after investigators found he had allegedly touched and sexually assaulted seven other people.

They included three counts of sexually touching, four counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under the age of 10, two counts of intentionally touching a child between the ages of 10 and 16, and nine counts of common battery.

Court documents obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia show Gowman is currently homeless and police will allege the alleged crimes occurred in the two and a half hours between 12:38pm and 3pm.

According to his online profiles, Gowman works as a scaffold who is “enjoying life to its fullest potential”, with a love for “travelling, fitness and motorbikes”.

On one of his social media pages, he describes himself as “low-key rapper Lukey,” along with photos of him posing for mirror selfies, sitting on a Harley Davidson, and playing with pitbulls.

Police prosecutor Shane Arie told the court that 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’s local court on Monday.