A 33-year-old man has fronted court today after being accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy at knifepoint in Western Sydney.
The victim was allegedly approached at Mt Druitt railway station before he was taken to a nearby park about 1.15am on August 15.
There, police allege the man threatened the youth with a knife and sexually assaulted him, before fleeing in a white van.
READ MORE: Reason for British tech giant’s doomed luxury yacht trip revealed
The man was arrested and charged last night with aggravated sexual intercourse with a child between 10 and 14 and intentionally sexually touching.
Detective Chief Superintendent Grant Taylor said the boy alerted the police soon after the assault, commending his bravery.
“Such a difficult thing to do for such a young child, a very vulnerable young child, the courage is immense and we applaud that,” he told reporters today.
“A man armed with a knife forced himself upon this child and seriously sexually assaulted this child,” Taylor said.
READ MORE: Court upholds conviction of former secretary at Nazi concentration camp, age 99
Taylor said the man and victim were not known to each other and police were working to identify if the suspect had preyed on other victims.
Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen a white 2024 Toyota Hiace van with black and white number plates, tinted windows and sliding doors.
They are also seeking information about the driver, who is described as being of Middle Eastern appearance with curly hair and a full beard.
Police said he may have been dressed in sportswear.
The man was refused bail to appear at Penrith Court in October.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, celebrity and sport via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
links to content on ABC
9News
