A Sri Lankan man charged over the alleged sexual assault of a woman on board a flight to Australia has been banned from leaving the country as his court case continues.<\/p>\n
Asanka Mathew Podiappuhamilage, 41, faced court on Thursday following his arrest at Melbourne Airport on December 18 after a passenger complained to airline staff of sexual assault on route from Sri Lanka to Australia.<\/p>\n
Mr Podiappuhamilage stood alongside an interpreter at Melbourne\u2019s Magistrate Court as he was charged with one count of an act of indecency following the international flight.<\/p>\n
Australian Federal Police allege Mr Podiappuhamilage \u201ccommitted an act of indecency\u201d while in the air.<\/p>\n
The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years of imprisonment if convicted.<\/p>\n
The Sri Lankan national first fronted court on December 19, where he was granted bail on strict conditions.<\/p>\n
Mr Podiappuhamilage surrendered his passport and will remain in Victoria or the country as his case is heard.<\/p>\n
Under the conditions of his bail, the Sri Lankan national has to report to a police station three times a week and live under a home curfew.<\/p>\n
During the court hearing on Thursday, Mr Podiappuhamilage\u2019s lawyer asked for an alteration to his client\u2019s bail, requesting the 41-year-old be allowed to live alone at a new address in Glen Waverley.<\/p>\n
The request was not opposed by prosecutor Natasha Ferreira.<\/p>\n
Ms Ferreria told magistrate Andrew Waters the AFP will present CCTV footage along with additional evidence to Mr Podiappuhamilage\u2019s defence by January 30.<\/p>\n
Mr Podiappuhamilage will front court again in mid-March.<\/p>\n
In a statement on the case, AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said authorities are committed to continuing to protect travellers on the ground and in the air.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen travelling through the airport and when on a plane, people are bound by Australian law,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AFP is committed to supporting airport staff and aviation partners and will continue to protect travellers while maintaining zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n
Source: Sky News<\/p>\n
–Agencies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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