A 70-year-old Killara man has been charged over the alleged rape of a 14-year-old boy at Echo Point Park near Roseville Bridge in 2023.
Alan James Caradus was arrested on Thursday after tactical police raided his home and seized electronic devices for forensic examination. Detectives allege he had met the boy after they made contact online and did not know him beforehand.
Police allege Caradus, who was 68 at the time, raped the child and incited him to perform a sexual act during the meeting at the north shore reserve.
The investigation began in December last year, about two years after the alleged assault. Officers led Caradus from his home in a T-shirt and track pants, while other police carried brown evidence bags containing devices taken from the property.
He was taken to Hornsby Police Station and charged with having sex with a child aged between 14 and 16, sexually touching a child aged between 10 and 16, and inciting a child aged between 10 and 16 to perform a sexual act.
Caradus appeared in Hornsby Local Court on Thursday, where bail was refused by Justice Rodney Brender. He will remain in custody until at least November 4, when he is due to appear in court again.
Support is available through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
