CAIRNS police have charged a 51-year-old Bundaberg man over the rape of a female tourist that took place on the Cairns Esplanade on March 17, 2007.
The then 35-year-old man allegedly approached the 19-year-old tourist at around 3.20am and a struggle ensued after he tried to grab her by the wrist.
The victim fled and the man continued to chase her where he then sexually assaulted her after she fell. The woman was treated at hospital for shock and an injury to her jaw.
Despite extensive investigations, detectives were unable to establish a suspect at the time however the case was re-opened this year after forensic evidence taken at the time of the incident was matched to a current DNA sample.
Cairns Detectives re-opened the case and took the man into custody at a property West of Bundaberg last Friday, 17 November.
The 51-year-old man was charged with rape and is scheduled to appear in the Biloela Magistrates Court on 10 January.
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