How a woman escaped alleged sexual abuse

A woman had to jump out of a moving car to escape a man who had held her captive for several hours and sexually assaulted her, a court has been told.

Paul Kelaita, 48, was arrested in dramatic circumstances in Sydney’s east last year when he allegedly led police on an hours-long foot chase that ended with him being cornered on a roof.

He appeared in the High Court in Sydney on Wednesday and made an unsuccessful application to be released on bail.

He was arrested in November after police approached him on Roscoe St in Bondi as they were looking for him in connection with alleged sexual offenses against a Central Coast woman.

Mr Kelaita is said to have fled from officers on foot, sparking a massive manhunt involving a police helicopter.

He was eventually arrested by police about an hour later on the roof of a house on Curlewis St and was dragged away in a pair of maroon rugby shorts.

At the time, he was wanted for alleged sexual offenses he committed earlier that year.

The court was told Mr Kelaita allegedly became obsessed with a woman before holding her captive for several hours.

He allegedly sexually assaulted her and engaged in non-consensual sexual touching, the court was told.

It is further alleged that he took control of her car, causing her to jump out of the vehicle to allow her escape.

“It is alleged that his conduct forced her to jump from a moving vehicle, causing her some injury,” Judge Belinda Rigg said on Wednesday.

Mr Kelaita is charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault while deprived of his liberty, and eight counts of stalking and intimidation.

He also faces three counts of sexual touching without consent, one of inciting another person to touch him without consent, and negligent driving.

He separately faces one charge of common assault, and three charges of entering a building to commit an indictable offense and entering restricted areas.

He has been in custody since his arrest and the court was told he had several bruises on his face after being involved in a fight in custody.

“I was just defending myself,” Mr Kelaita announced to the court as he watched the proceedings via video link from prison.

The court was told he had been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder by a psychologist.

However, Judge Rigg said the report provided to the court was of “so poor quality that the court could not understand how the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder” had been made.

Mr Kelaita proposed to be released on bail, with conditions including electronic monitoring and house arrest.

However, Judge Rigg said there were concerns about the safety of the alleged victim and the community, as well as the risk of failing to appear and obstructing witnesses.

“Bail is accordingly refused,” she said.

Mr Kelaita will appear at Gosford Local Court on Thursday.