Goonellabah man charged with sexual assault of young girl, break-in

Police will allege a 66-year-old broke into a Northern Rivers home in the early hours of Monday before assaulting a young girl.

A Northern Rivers man has been refused bail, charged with breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a young girl.

A man is due to face a Northern NSW court on Thursday after being charged with the sexual assault of a young girl.

Police said in a statement they received reports on Wednesday that a young girl had been sexually assaulted in her home.

The State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad investigated the allegation.

Those investigators, with the support of Richmond Police District officers, then arrested a 66-year-old man at a Goonellabah home shortly after 3pm the same day.

He was taken to Lismore Police Station and charged with aggravated break and enter involving a serious indictable offence sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 10 years.

Police will allege the accused man broke into the girl’s home in the early hours of Monday, January 3, then sexually abused her.

He has been refused bail to face Lismore Local Court on Thursday.

The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect.

Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.