Ex-UTS worker accused of escalating series of sexual offences

Between 2pm and 4pm, he allegedly stalked or intimidated a 16-year-old girl, intending to cause her fear of physical or mental harm.

Udayakuma is accused of sexually touching the same teenager without her consent on the same day at Bondi Beach Park.

When police arrested Udayakuma, he was allegedly found with a stolen iPhone and wallet. Two months earlier he had allegedly used a stolen credit card to buy a $55 Coles gift card.

The Kingsford man was refused police bail and appeared at Downing Centre Local Court on January 5, where the prosecution opposed bail, noting his alleged “escalating behaviours of offending” and the fact he was “at university with lots of young females”.

Magistrate Alan Railton refused bail, noting he was still on bail for the other sexual matter.

“This is a very serious allegation of stalking a 16-year-old girl for a lengthy period of time and touching her,” he said.

“It is difficult to conceive of conditions to protect the community from what appears to be quite obsessive behaviour.”

Udayakuma was granted bail on the condition he abide by a curfew between 9pm and 6am, surrender his passport and not enter Bondi Beach.

He was also ordered to seek mental health treatment at St Vincent’s Hospital, avoid alcohol and non-prescribed drugs and not contact any prosecution witness.

Udayakuma pleaded not guilty to all charges on February 14.

At Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, Magistrate Susan Horan refused a self-represented Udayakuma’s application to erase the curfew on his bail conditions so that he could seek evening hospitality work.

“These are two very concerning fact sheets,” Horan said.

“[One] fact sheet involves a 16-year-old child. It is very concerning … the nature of both matters is very concerning.”

Horan found the bail conditions were necessary to mitigate the risks of failing to appear at court, endangering the safety of victims and the community, and committing further serious offences.

According to Udayakuma’s LinkedIn profile, he is also a “UTS Peer Networker”. The university’s website states The Peer Network is “a team of current UTS students who help new students by leading campus tours, staffing the Orientation helpdesk, serving free coffee at the coffee cart, mingling at official welcomes, answering questions, and more”.

Udayakuma will seek to have his charges dealt with on mental health grounds next month.

UTS has been contacted for comment.

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