Goulburn sexual assault: Man, 41, arrested in Western Australia

A Goulburn man at the centre of a major investigation sparked by the brutal alleged assaults of two teenage girls at night has been arrested interstate.

A Goulburn man accused of assaulting two teenager women at night and terrorising the tight-knit bush community could soon be extradited to face charges after being arrested in Western Australia.

The regional city of Goulburn has been living under threat of a sex attacker for several weeks with police investigations leading to the arrest of a 41-year-old man in Fremantle about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Strike Force Noobillia was launched by State Crime Command’s Sex Squad in partnership with Hume Police District Officers to catch the man after the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman on April 14.

The woman was walking north along Bourke St in Goulburn about 11pm that night when she was approached by an unknown man.

Detectives say the man allegedly grabbed the woman, threw her to the ground and repeatedly punched her in the face until she lost consciousness. He then allegedly sexually assaulted her.

CCTV footage of a man following an investigation into the sexual assault of a on April 14, 2023. Picture: NSW Police

A resident whose house the distraught woman ran to said she banged on the door screaming “help me, help me”, while leaving smears of blood on the handle and framework.

The resident said the woman was there for 30 seconds before she left before she flagged down a passing car who took her to Goulburn Police Station for help.

As part of investigations, strike force detectives began inquiries into a further alleged physical assault which occurred on nearby Blackshaw Rd on April 5.

An 18-year-old woman was walking along Blackshaw Rd about 10.30pm when she was approached and allegedly punched in the face by a man.

The intersection of Bourke St and Addison St near where a 19-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted on April 14, 2023. Picture: Sam Turner

She fell to the ground where the man continued to assault her, however she broke free and ran towards Park Rd and was later taken to hospital for treatment after suffering facial injuries.

Her sister posted on social media about the alleged attack, saying last week “justice needs to be done”.

“Please help catch who did this,” the victim’s sister wrote.

Sex Crimes Squad commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty made a plea to the public and stated someone knew who the alleged attacker was in Goulburn.

Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives raided a Bradley St home in Goulburn about 8am on Sunday.

Sex Crimes Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty. Picture: NSW Police

During the search, officers seized a number of items for forensic examination.

After further extensive inquiries, officers from Western Australia Police Force’s Rapid Apprehension Squad arrested the 41-year-old man at a hotel in Fremantle on Sunday.

He was taken to the Perth Watch House, where he remains pending his first court appearance.

Sex Crimes Squad detectives will travel to WA in the coming days to apply for the man’s extradition to NSW.

Investigations under Strike Force Noobillia are ongoing, anyone who has any information which may assist detectives is urged to contact police.