A man has been charged over an alleged sexual assault and subsequent pursuit in the state's Central West.
About 7.50am yesterday (Thursday 2 October 2025), police were called to a house on Franklin Road, Orange, after reports a 71-year-old woman had allegedly been sexually assaulted.
Officers attached to Central West Police District attended and approached a 37-year-old man who was in the vicinity of the location.
The man allegedly left the scene in a hatchback.
Police subsequently attempted to stop the vehicle and when it did not stop, a pursuit was initiated.
The pursuit continued through the Orange CBD.
During the pursuit, the man allegedly exited his vehicle and attempted to enter two other vehicles being driven by members of the public on Margaret Street, before returning to the hatchback.
A short time later, the hatchback collided with another vehicle on March Street. The driver of that vehicle was uninjured.
The pursuit was terminated on Lord's Place, when the hatchback crashed into several other vehicles and flipped onto its roof.
The 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene following the deployment of a taser.
He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Orange Hospital for treatment under police guard.
A crime scene was established on Franklin Road, and police commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The 71-year-old woman was assessed by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital for treatment.
The man was later taken to Orange Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of aggravated sex assault-inflict actual bodily harm on victim, two counts of assault with intent to take/drive motor vehicle, use etc offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention etc, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 4 today (Friday 3 October 2025).
