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Man charged over historic rape in Cairns

November 20, 2023 8:11 am in by

New forensic evidence has helped police to track down an alleged rapist after 16 years.

The then 35-year-old Bundaberg man is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old female tourist in Cairns on March 17, 2007.

It’s alleged a struggle ensued after he tried to grab the woman by the wrist.

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The victim fled and the man continued to chase her before allegedly sexually assaulted the woman after she fell.

The woman was treated at hospital for shock and an injury to her jaw.

Despite extensive investigations, detectives were unable to establish a suspect.

The case was re-opened this year after forensic evidence taken at the time of the incident, was matched to a current DNA sample.

Cairns Detectives re-opened the case and took the man into custody at a property West of Bundaberg on Friday, November 17.

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The now 51-year-old man was charged with rape.

He is scheduled to appear in the Biloela Magistrates Court on January 10.

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