A MAN will appear in Lismore court today charged over a violent assault in Armidale more than 11 years ago.
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A 45-year-old man was arrested in Queensland last week over an alleged violent assault at an Armidale caravan park in 2001.
New England detectives arrested the man in Innisfail on Thursday and NSW police were granted permission to extradite him in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
He was taken to Lismore police station and charged with two counts of assault with intent to have sexual intercourse, maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and using an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.
He appeared in Lismore Local Court yesterday where he did not apply for bail. The matter was adjourned to Armidale on March 18 for further mention.
Senior police have told Fairfax Regional Digital the charges related to an assault which happened at an Armidale Caravan Park on October 8, 2001.
Police allege a man and woman booked a camping site at the caravan park for a one-night stay and joined a small group of residents at the park that night.
It was then the 45-year-old man allegedly made remarks of a sexual nature to the woman who retired to the tent for the night with her partner.
Police said when the woman heard a voice outside the tent she crawled outside to investigate and was allegedly confronted by the man.
It is then he's accused of hitting her to the head with a length of timber and stated his intention to have sex with her.
When the man came to the aid of his partner, the 45-year-old is accused of lashing out with the timber and breaking the man’s arm. Officers will allege the man left before returning minutes later with a metal baseball bat which he swung at the woman.
The woman's partner came to her aid a struggle ensued before the caravan park owners intervened and separated them.
The couple reported the matter to Armidale police and the man was taken Tamworth Hospital for surgery to his broken arm. The woman suffered swelling and bruising to her forehead.
After attempts to locate the alleged attacker, police issued warrants for his arrest.
Investigators managed to track down the man in Innisfail earlier this month.
New England Local Area Command Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty said the work was the result of perseverance by local detectives.
"This arrest should be a warning for those wanted by police, that investigations are ongoing and we will continue to track down and arrest wanted offenders,” he said. "If you know you're wanted you should hand yourself in to police.
"Anyone with information on wanted persons in the New England LAC should contact their local police station or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous."
