Lal Ro Puia, 30, was refused bail at the ACT Magistrate Court on Monday. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to alleged sexual assault.
A prosecutor has accused a man of being a “persistent sexual offender” after he was allegedly filmed following a woman before repeatedly trying to sexually assault her.
It is alleged that 30-year-old Lal Ro Puia followed a woman, whom he’d never met before, into her carpark on Sunday evening (16 November), where he persistently tried to sexually assault her.
He was charged with two counts of sexual assault in the second degree and one count of assault, and then faced the ACT Magistrates Court on Monday (17 November) to apply for bail.
Prosecutor Tahni Whybrow, who opposed bail, said the entire alleged incident between Puia and the woman was captured on CCTV.
“His offending is targeted towards unknown, random women in the community,” she alleged.
Puia’s lawyer, Ellie Wallis of Legal Aid, said his mental health was clearly a significant factor in his life.
She said he had recently been homeless, but she had spoken to his family, who said he could live with them in Queanbeyan.
He hadn’t been able to access his support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme while he had been homeless, she said, but this was available.
“His mental health is quite clearly his primary risk factor here,” Ms Wallis said.
Ms Whybrow said Puia’s mental health did have a part to play, but she argued “it’s not clear cut”.
There was no evidence his mental health was connected to the recent allegations at the current point in time, she said.
Magistrate Glenn Theakston did not take long to refuse bail.
“It’s a relatively easy decision in this case,” he said.
Puia spent much of his bail application yawning. He was remanded in custody and will next face court on 15 December.
If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT on 02 6280 0900, Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. In an emergency, call triple zero.
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