A man has appeared in court charged following an investigation into the alleged historical sexual assault of a woman in Byron Bay more than 20 years ago.
Police say that at about 8.30pm on Friday, 23 October, 1998, a woman – then aged 23 – was at her home on Bangalow Road, Byron Bay, when she was confronted by an intruder.
“The woman was allegedly assaulted, sexually assaulted, threatened and detained by the man for a period of time before he left the home,” NSW Police said in a statement today.
An investigation was conducted by officers attached to Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, however no arrests were made at the time.
The case was re-opened last year following a cold case review, with evidence and exhibits re-examined.
“Following extensive inquiries, detectives attached to Tweed/Byron Police District attended a home in South Grafton about 9.45am yesterday, where they arrested a 49-year-old man.”
He was taken to Grafton Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter and commit felony – use violence, aggravated sex assault – inflict actual bodily harm on victim, and forcible abduction of woman with intent to carnally know.
He was refused bail to appear at Grafton Local Court today, where he was formally refused bail to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on May 23.
