Man charged 23 years after allegedly attempting to rape store worker

A man has been charged almost 23 years after allegedly attempting to rape a woman after hours at a furniture store.

A man has been charged after allegedly attempting to rape and choke a woman at a furniture store in Melbourne’s inner suburbs more than 20 years ago.

Police allege the then-24-year-old woman was working at a store in Northcote on January 12, 2002 when she was approached by a man after the store closed.

Officers will allege in court the man pushed the woman to a bed and began choking her before a witness interrupted the attack, a scuffle ensued and the man fled.

An investigation was conducted at the time, but the forensic exhibits were stored in the so-called “cold case freezer” at the Victoria Police Forensics Services Department.

It wasn’t until May of this year when further information came to light that investigators re-examined the investigation, almost 23 years after the alleged attack.

Following their investigation, police raided two properties at residential addresses in Lalor and Epping in Melbourne.

Police allege the then-24-year-old woman was working at a store in Northcote on January 12, 2002 when a man approached her and allegedly sexually assaulted her. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

A 64-year-old man from Epping later self-presented himself to Mill park police station where he was interviewed.

The man was subsequently charged with assault with intent to rape and remanded into custody to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Sexual crime squad Detective Acting Inspector Adam Henry said the alleged incident would have had “effects on the life of a young woman”.

“(She) had simply just been at her place of work – somewhere everybody should be safe,” he said.

“No matter how many years have passed, it is as important as ever that we hold those responsible for offending such as this to account.

“Historical investigations are unique in that updates to science, methodology and legislation allow us to progress a case in a way that may not have been possible at the time.

“Our investigators remain completely committed to seeking justice for our victim-survivors.”