By Jenna Clarke
Police are expected to charge a 47-year-old man in relation to the alleged sexual assault of a young girl in Newcastle earlier this week.
An 11-year-old girl was walking to school through a park in Adamstown Heights on Tuesday morning when she was allegedly sexually assaulted after being threatened by a man who claimed to have a knife.
She was then allegedly held captive for five hours after being forced into a car and driven to bushland where she was allegedly attacked again.
The child walked 1.5 kilometres home after she was released by the man at Kotara Railway Station at 2.15pm.
Police and detectives from State Crime Command's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad made a breakthrough on Saturday afternoon when they arrested a man after stopping his vehicle on Beaumont Street in Hamilton.
He is now in custody following extensive inquiries. Police expect to lay charges for several offences before he faces Newcastle Court on Sunday.
"The person responsible for this crime is now in custody. It is, what I would describe as, a very compelling circumstantial proof that we have right this minute," Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec told Seven News.
The arrest comes days after a crime scene was forensically examined and Strike Force Bradly was established.
"This arrest came about by the information provided by members of the community," Superintendent Kerlatec said.
The victim was released from John Hunter Hospital after medical examination.
"She is doing remarkably well," Detective Chief Inspector Paul Jacob said.
"Police, through the John Hunter Hospital and the clinic there, are supporting her with counselling, and that will continue onwards as much as she needs.
"She’s extremely lucky ... and a very brave young girl who has committed to helping us get to the bottom of this."