The alleged assault occurred in 2023 when the man, then aged 68, approached a 14-year-old boy at Echo Point Park near Roseville Bridge. Police allege the man raped the boy and incited the child to perform a sex act on him.
Detectives believe the man and the boy were not known to each other. The investigation began in December 2025, about two years after the incident, leading to Thursday's arrest.
Armed tactical police raided the man's Killara home, seizing electronic devices for forensic examination. The man 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.
He appeared in Hornsby Local Court on Thursday, where bail was refused. He is due to reappear on November 4.
Support services are available for those affected by sexual assault, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.