NSW Police say a man will spend the weekend in the lock-up after being refused bail yesterday in Grafton, following an investigation into the alleged historical sexual assault of a woman in Byron Bay more than 20 years ago.
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 a man not known to her inside her house.
The woman was assaulted, sexually assaulted, threatened and detained by the intruder for a period of time before he left the home.
An investigation was conducted by officers attached to Tweed/Byron Local Area Command, however no arrests were made at the time.
Case reopened
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 (Wednesday 18 May), 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 yesterday (Thursday 19 May), where he was formally bail refused to appear at Byron Bay Local Court on Monday 23 May 2022.
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