A Sri Lankan cricket star who allegedly sexually assaulted a girl inside her Sydney dwelling will stay stranded in Australia indefinitely after failing to dam delay to his case.
Mestiyage Don Danishka Gunathilaka, 32, has been residing in Australia since November final 12 months, when he was granted bail whereas dealing with 4 separate costs of sexual activity with out consent.
Police allege the worldwide cricketer matched with a girl on a courting app and that the pair chatted quite a few instances earlier than they met on November 2, when the alleged offences occurred.
At the time Gunathilaka was in Australia to play within the T20 World Cup and, based on his lawyer, has restricted assist or familial ties in Sydney the place he’s stranded whereas court docket proceedings proceed.
Appearing at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, Gunathilaka’s lawyer urged the court docket to dam an utility by the NSW Director of Public Prosecution to adjourn the matter once more.
The prosecutor mentioned quite a few challenges had led to a different adjournnent.
“A statement has been obtained from the complainant that would effect how the Crown proceeds – which will delay the proceedings,” the prosecutor mentioned.
“The representative of the Crown has also recently been unwell.”
Prosecutors in NSW have six months to file costs in opposition to an individual, earlier than the matter may be dismissed.
The court docket heard the latest adjournment utility would push the cricketer’s case exterior of that time-frame.
Gunathilaka’s lawyer mentioned he would apply to have the case dismissed if one other adjournment was utilized for.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Theo Tsavdaridis mentioned he would grant the latest utility for an adjournment.
“I am of the view that these matters are very serious,” Mr Tsavdaridis mentioned.
“The adjournments date back to November 7, 2022, but they have all seemed necessary.”
Gunathilaka will stay on strict conditional bail earlier than he returns to the identical court docket later this month.
The 32-year-old is presently prohibited from utilizing courting apps, and has surrendered his passport.
He additionally experiences day by day to police having been launched on a $200,000 surety bond. No pleas have been entered.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
