Swapnil Singh: Griffith Uni student charged with stalking, sexually assaulting women

A young Gold Coast student has been charged with sexually assaulting two women, one of which he allegedly also stalked, while drunk in the Cavill Ave party precinct.

Swapnil Singh has been charged with sexually assaulting two women, one of whom was allegedly also stalked. Police allege he preyed on women at the Cavill Ave party precinct. Photo: Scott Powick / Newscorp

A young Gold Coast student has been charged with sexually assaulting two women, one of which he allegedly also stalked, while drunk in the Cavill Ave party precinct.

Molendinar man Swapnil Singh, 24, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday, June 18, where he made a bail application via Legal Aid Queensland solicitor Shannon Fletcher.

Mr Singh faces three charges: two counts of sexual assault and one of unlawful stalking.

According to court records, police allege the stalking and one of the sexual assault offences were committed at Surfers Paradise, while the other sexual assault allegedly occurred at Molendinar.

All offences were allegedly committed in the early hours of June 15.

The court was told Mr Singh was believed to have followed five women, including into places of accommodation, throughout the course of the night, with two of the women allegedly sexually assaulted.

He does not face charges relating to the three women allegedly followed but not physically touched.

Some or all of the alleged offending was captured on CCTV, the court was told.

He has not entered any pleas.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Nick Wang told the court bail was opposed on the basis Mr Singh was an Indian national with no strong ties to the community and was therefore a flight risk.

Ms Fletcher told the court her client had no Queensland criminal history and was currently on a student visa while undertaking a Masters of Pharmacy at Griffith University, with his studies set to conclude in October.

Singh is on a student visa as he studies at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Supplied

She said her client understood the serious nature of the charges and conceded it “would appear to be a strong case” against her client, particularly regarding the sexual assault charges.

Ms Fletcher indicated she would seek to negotiate with police over the unlawful stalking charge.

She said the risk to the community could be ameliorated by a curfew and an alcohol prohibition, in light of her client telling police after his arrest he was intoxicated when allegedly committing the offences.

Magistrate Louisa Pink told the court the case against Mr Singh was further bolstered by rideshare records and clothing discovered during a search warrant, which matched clothing seen on the CCTV.

“You find yourself in a difficult position,” she said.

She granted him bail on conditions including that he surrender his passport, not approach international airports, report to police twice a week, adhere to a 7pm–7am curfew, and abstain from drugs and alcohol.

Mr Singh's’s charges will next be mentioned on July 9.

Originally published as Swapnil Singh: Griffith Uni student charged with stalking, sexually assaulting women