AN AirAsia pilot who allegedly violently sexually assaulted a woman in Scarborough in 1996 appeared at Perth Magistrates Court last Friday facing multiple charges of rape, unlawful wounding and burglary.
The horrific incident occurred when the then 29-year-old man, who was studying in Perth, allegedly broke into a Scarborough woman’s Dover Street villa through an open window.
Police alleged he detained the then 39-year-old woman and repeatedly raped and injured her in a prolonged assault.
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READ NOWThe 49-year-old Malaysian man faces six counts of rape, one count of deprivation of liberty, unlawful wounding and burglary.
Acting Detective Superintendent Peter Branchi from the State Crime Operations Squad (SCOS) said in February that the crime would have been terrifying for the victim.
Det Supt Branchi said the man had not re-entered Australia from the time police began the review.
“We understand the woman is still in WA,” he said.
The arrest came after a review of the case by SCOS, which conducts cold case reviews of unsolved historic serious offences using the latest advancements in forensic technology and modern investigative techniques.
Det Supt Branchi said once the squad received evidence in the middle of last year they took steps towards the man’s extradition.
“The community need to understand that we won’t let these old cases go, we will continue to investigate and we will continue to use the latest technology to solve them,” he said.
The case was adjourned and the man will appear at Perth Magistrates Court on June 2.