A Western Australian man has been charged in relation to a historic sexual assault after DNA evidence linked him to the crime

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Malogorski said the alleged incident occurred near Katherine in June 1993.

The case remained unsolved for 24 years until this DNA breakthrough.

“A 41-year-old man was identified as a person of interest after his DNA matched blood left at the scene,” Detective Senior Sergeant Malogorski said.

He was extradited from Kununurra on 15 September and charged with:

• Unlawful assault with intent to have carnal knowledge
• Aggravated assault
• Deprivation of liberty

He was remanded in custody to appear in Katherine Local Court today.