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

An accused serial sex mole who allegedly groped and assaulted nine shoppers – including two children – during a single visit to a mall has been brought to justice.

Luke Gowman, 26, has been arrested after he sexually touched and assaulted several people in Liverpool Westfield, south-west Sydney, four days before Christmas.

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

Gowman – who remains in custody since his arrest – appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with 21 felonies over the alleged incident.

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

Luke Gowman, 26, has been arrested after he allegedly sexually touched and assaulted nine shoppers in south-west Sydney days before Christmas

However, when Mr Abdul-Karim Gowman asked to confirm if that was the case, the alleged perpetrator said he was seeking private counsel.

“I have a lawyer in Sydney. I plan to see my solicitor as soon as I get[from custody],” Gowman told the court.

Mr Abdul-Karim appeared shocked at Gowman’s suggestion that he expected to be released on bail.

“You are in detention, your bail has been denied based on these allegations, you have already applied for bail and bail has been denied,” Abdul-Karim said.

Mr Abdul-Karim offered to give Gowman an adjournment to seek counsel, or said he could alternatively file a plea and be convicted immediately.

Gowman asked what punishment he would face for the alleged crimes, with Mr Abdul-Karim saying he was not sure but the charges were “serious”.

“I don’t want to postpone it indefinitely. It is in your best interest to seek legal advice,” Mr Adbdul-Karim told Gowman.

Police were called to Liverpool Westfield (pictured) around 3.15pm to report two young girls had allegedly been touched by a man

“If you do not have the financial resources, it is in your best interest to seek legal counsel who will at least assist you in continuing the matter.”

Four days before Christmas, police were called to the mall at around 3.15pm to report that a man had allegedly touched two young girls.

A short time later, Gowman was stopped by security forces as he was exiting the centre, arrested and charged with two counts of assault: persecution/intimidation, intentional fear of assault.

Police later slapped Gowman with a further 18 charges after investigators revealed he allegedly sexually touched and assaulted a further seven people.

They included three counts of sexual touching, four counts of intentional sexual touching of a child under the age of 10, two counts of intentional touching of children between the ages of 10 and 16, and nine counts of habitual assault.

Court documents obtained exclusively by Daily Mail Australia show Gowman is currently homeless and police claim the crimes were committed in the two and a half hours between 12.38pm and 3pm.

According to his online profiles, Gowman works as a scaffolder who “lives life to the fullest” with a love for “travel, 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, riding a Harley Davidson, and playing with pit bulls.

Police Prosecutor Shane Arie told the court the matter had been referred to the chief prosecutor.

The case was adjourned until January 16.

Gowman, who was remanded in custody following his arrest last month, appeared before Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday