Man charged with sexual assault of boy 29 years later after DNA breakthrough

A DNA breakthrough has led to the arrest of a 65-year-old man almost three decades after a nine-year-old boy was allegedly sexually assaulted on the NSW Central Coast.

The boy was allegedly sexually assaulted by a stranger on March 26, 1996.

Detectives at the time investigated but were unable to make any arrests.

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But now, thanks to continued investigation and advances in forensic DNA technology, detectives have arrested a 65-year-old man at Bathurst Police Station.

He was charged with sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 10 years and attempted sexual intercourse with a person under 10 years.

He was refused bail and will face the Bail Division Court 4 today.

At the time of the alleged sexual assault, the man would have been 35 or 36.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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