A woman has been allegedly sexually assaulted and threatened with a meat cleaver in her Western Sydney home in what police described as a "horrendous" attack.
The 26-year-old woman was forced to barricade herself in her Auburn unit on Friday, November 15 about 6.40pm.
NSW Police allege a 37-year-old man from Zetland in Sydney's inner city made his way into her unit on Park Road, found the meat cleaver in her kitchen and threatened the woman.
He then allegedly hit her several times and beat her in the back of the head with the cleaver's handle, before sexually assaulting her.
When he left the unit, police say the woman immediately travelled to Auburn Police Station to report the crime.
Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty from the NSW Sex Crimes Squad said it was due to the victim's speedy actions in reporting the crime that they were able to charge a man on Monday.
"It's through the swift action of this victim coming forward so quickly that we've been able to secure a lot of evidence in this matter," Detective Superintendent Doherty said.
"The basis of all investigations on sexual assault come from the evidence of the victim. From that, we can build our case. The earlier they come forward, the better chance we have of securing evidence in matters.
"Even if a victim doesn't want to go ahead with the court matter or doesn't feel strong enough to go ahead at that time, we encourage them to report it to police, report to health services or social services so that we can secure that evidence and we can put it away until they are strong enough to go through with the court process."
Detective Superintendent Doherty said the woman may have been followed into the unit block.
"It's horrendous. She's in what she believes to be her secure home unit," she said.
"If you're in a secure block and people are following you through, make sure you stop them and ask them where they're going."
The man was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault threatening to inflict actual bodily harm, one inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse, one sexual touching another person and one aggravated assault.
He was refused bail and will appear at Burwood court on Tuesday.
