University lecturer sexually assaulted student as she walked home from the pub Kary Thanapalan, 49, was a lecturer at the University of South Wales when he followed a student in Treforest, Pontypridd, and proceeded to forcefully kiss her and grope her University lecturer Kary Thanapalan, 49. sexually assaulted a woman as she walked alone late at night (Image: South Wales Police) A university lecturer followed a student walking home from the pub and sexually assaulted her as she pleaded with him to leave her alone. Kary Thanapalan, 49, persistently pursued his victim as she tried to evade his grasp but he put his arms around her on multiple occasions and groped her.