Elias Ghafari charged over historical alleged child sex assault at Haberfield, Guildford in 2013, 2014

Sex crime detectives have credited advances in technology for the arrest of a man who allegedly sexually assaulted five children more than a decade ago. See the arrest.

A man accused of sexually assaulting five girls aged between two and nine more than a decade ago will remain behind bars on remand after his bid for bail failed.

Sex crimes squad detectives charged Elias Ghafari with the alleged historical sexual assaults of the girls – including two sisters – in 2013 and 2014.

On Thursday January 9, 2014, local police began an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of two sisters – aged six and two – inside a toilet block at Campbell Hill Reserve at Guildford.

Inquiries revealed the male DNA profile was linked to another indecent assault investigation at a school in Haberfield on Friday May 17, 2013, during which three nine-year-old girls were allegedly assaulted.

State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad led both investigations under Striker Force Meston and Strike Force Sandyman.

The man was arrested at Greystanes. Picture: NSW Police

Following extensive inquiries, about 7.25am on Tuesday, strike force detectives searched a home at Greystanes where they arrested 50-year-old Ghafari.

He taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with six offences: four counts of indecent assault person under 16 years of age, sexual intercourse with person under the age of 10 years and enter building/land with intent commit indictable offence.

He was refused bail to appear in Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

Ghafari’s Legal Aid lawyer applied for bail for her client, telling the court the allegations were more than a decade ago and evidence was circumstantial.

Police prosecutor Kaitlin Vella opposed bail and said the sexual intercourse charge could carry a maximum 25-year jail sentence.

“These are serious allegations with one of the youngest, a two-year-old female and her six-year-old sister,’’ she said.

“These are young, innocent children in our community. It is a serious nature.’’

Magistrate David Price refused bail and told the court the DNA evidence would be “quite strong” against him.

State Crime Command commander Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the arrest demonstrated the unwavering commitment of detectives to seek justice for alleged victims of sexual offences.

“Advances in technology have provided us with new tools and methodologies that are instrumental in identifying and apprehending alleged sexual offenders,” Det Supt Doherty said.

“No matter how much time has passed, sex crimes squad detectives will continually explore and use these advancements available to hold alleged offenders to account.”