Monster who lured sex worker to home so he could rape her – before she jumped from a moving car to escape – drops a sensational court bombshell… years after he was arrested in his undies
Halfway though his trial, a man has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault and kidnap of a sex worker who only managed to escape by jumping from a moving vehicle.
Paul Sargon Kelaita, 50, offered the guilty pleas on Wednesday, three days into a trial billed to last at least seven days in Gosford District Court.
He pleaded guilty to ten of the 15 charges laid against him including three counts of aggravated sexual assault, one count of taking another with the intention of causing fear or mental harm and two counts of intimidation.
He also admitted guilt to two counts of sexual touching without consent, one count of inciting another to sexually touch him without consent and a further count of intimidation.
It comes nearly two years after Kelaita lured a sex worker, 30, to a property on the NSW Central Coast and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
She only managed to escape Kelaita’s clutches after jumping from a moving vehicle and desperately approaching a bystander for help.
Kelaita’s arrest made national headlines and followed an hour-long foot chase through the affluent eastern Sydney suburb of Bondi.
Police traced him to the beachside Adina Apartments, ten days after the brutal assault and kidnapping, where he jumped from a second-storey balcony.
Paul Kelaita (centre) has pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a sex worker. He is pictured being arrested following a police pursuit through Bondi in November 2023
Kelaita has pleaded guilty to ten charges including three counts of aggravated sexual assault, kidnapping and two counts of intimidation with intent to cause fear
Kelaita jumped several fences during the chase while being pursued by officers, including the dog squad and a police helicopter.
Arresting officers handcuffed the then-48-year-old on a nearby rooftop and frogmarched him in a pair of maroon rugby league shorts before a crowd of stunned onlookers.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station and has remained in police custody since.
He was denied bail late last year.
Kelaita pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the sex worker inside a rented granny flat in Killarney Vale, north-east of Gosford.
The prosecution claimed Kelaita assumed a false identity in making the appointment with the sex worker, who had previously cut ties with him following an initial paid sexual encounter weeks earlier.
Upon arrival at the Killarney Vale property, Kelaita forced the woman inside the property and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
The pair left the scene in the woman’s car. At some point during the drive, she managed to jump from the moving vehicle, causing injuries.
Kelaita is pictured being escorted by police wearing maroon rugby shorts in front of onlookers
The victim gave evidence during the much-anticipated trial this week from a remote room within the Gosford court complex.
Her testimony was closed to the public.
Kelaita was largely silent in court on Monday, apart from an outburst during an address by the prosecution.
He will remain behind bars until he is due to be sentenced in March next year.
