Damian Craig Bennett charged with breaking into Banora Point home, sexually touching 18-year-old woman

An Orange man has been charged after he allegedly broke into a Tweed home and sexually touched an 18-year-old woman, covering her mouth to stop her screaming.

It’s alleged Bennett broke into the home and assaulted the teenage girl just before 9.30am on February 1.

An Orange man has been charged after he allegedly broke into a Tweed home and sexually touched an 18-year-old woman, covering her mouth to stop her screaming.

Damian Craig Bennett has been charged with aggravated entry into a dwelling knowing a person was home and sexually touching another person without consent.

He has also been charged with breaking and entering into a house with the intention to steal and stalking/intimidation with the intention to cause a person to fear for physical or mental harm.

The 30-year-old man has not yet entered any pleas and remains on bail.

Police issued an appeal for information from the public after the Banora Point attack they allege Bennett committed just before 9.30am on February 1.

Tweed Heads Court House. Picture: David Bonaddio

Police have stated the woman did not know her attacker, who allegedly “grabbed her and sexually touched her before threatening her and running from the house on foot”.

Tweed/Byron Police Detective Inspector Gary Sheehan previously said: “He’s (allegedly) grabbed her over the mouth and he has sexually touched her very inappropriately, she screamed.”

Tweed Heads Police Station.

“He was able to make his way out of the house and ran off,” he said.

Earlier, Tweed/Byron Police District shared CCTV footage of a man who officers believed may have been “able to assist” with investigations.

Tweed/Byron Police detectives, assisted by Queensland Police, searched a property in Coolangatta and arrested Bennett on April 7.

The case has been adjourned to Tweed Heads Local Court on September 15.