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The man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old Newcastle schoolgirl in a five-hour ordeal has been remanded in custody after a brief court hearing.
The 47-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not appear or apply for bail at the Newcastle Local Court on Sunday.
NSW Police charged the man with kidnapping, six counts of aggravated sexual assault, and four counts of aggravated indecent assault on Saturday following an intensive four-day manhunt by police.
The girl was allegedly grabbed from behind on Tuesday morning as she walked to school in Adamstown Heights, threatened with a knife, sexually assaulted and forced into a car.
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She was then driven to bushland where she was again sexually assaulted before being released at Kotara Railway station about five hours later, NSW Police said.
Detective Superintendent Brett Greentree said the crimes were "horrific" and had sent "shivers down the spines" of the community.
He praised the young girl and her family for the help they had given to police during the investigation.
"This brave little girl is certainly a hero and the courage she has displayed, along with her family, in terms of supporting the police has just been fantastic," he told reporters on Sunday.
"And it has ultimately led to this arrest."
Police described the man as an unemployed Newcastle resident who lives a nomadic lifestyle.
Commander of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec, said the brazen nature of the crimes had caused significant concern in both the police force and the community.
The family of the young girl, along with the entire community, had slept better following the arrest, he said.
"Every crime against a child is horrendous... Each (crime) is the most horrific time in their lives ... This incident is horrific," he said.
"We were concerned because this person committed a crime in broad daylight and until that person was in custody there was a lot of restlessness nights."
The man is due to appear in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
