A man charged over two separate assaults of women in Sydney's CBD allegedly carried out strikingly similar attacks on both victims, court documents reveal.
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Yongseok Ji, a 25-year-old Korean national, was refused bail in Central Local Court on Wednesday over the alleged sexual and indecent assaults, in The Domain and Haymarket, in May and June this year.
In the June incident, Mr Ji allegedly grabbed a 30-year-old woman from behind as she was walking south along George Street in Haymarket, near the intersection of Valentine Street, about 4am on June 11.
He allegedly touched her breasts and her genitals before pulling her underpants off and raping her.
Police allege Mr Ji then ran away but returned to attack the woman again, and pushed her to the ground near Quay Street.
In the May incident, he also allegedly grabbed a 34 year-old from behind as she was walking into The Domain from Hospital Road about 6.15am on May 11.
He allegedly touched her breasts and genitals. However the woman managed to kick Mr Ji and he ran away.
In both incidents, the victims said their attacker was wearing a dark-hooded jumper.
The second incident, in Haymarket, occurred just 700 metres from Mr Ji's Sussex Street apartment.
The disturbing pattern prompted the Sex Crimes Squad to form Strike Force Rosebridge and release CCTV images of a man they believed was involved.
On Tuesday, Mr Ji went to Sydney City police station about 3pm where he was arrested.
Dressed in a grey t-shirt and appearing via video link from Surry Hills police station, he kept his eyes closed during most of his five-minute appearance in Central Local Court on Wednesday.
His lawyer, Tim Heenan, did not apply for bail and Magistrate Les Mabbutt formally refused it.
"Given the nature of the charges and no application, bail is refused," he said.
Mr Ji remained motionless once his matter was finished, and he had to be asked by Magistrate Mabbutt to leave the video-link room.
He is facing two charges of indecent assault relating to the May incident and charges of sexual assault, common assault and three counts of indecent assault over the June incident.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said detectives from the Sex Crimes Squad were continuing to investigate a number of other reported assaults on women in Haymarket this year.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to visit the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
