A member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang has been granted strict conditional bail after being charged over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl during a police investigation into the alleged gang rape of two children in Sydney almost a quarter of a century ago.

Raymond Younan, 42, was arrested by New South Wales Police at Sydney International Airport after investigators were alerted that he was returning to Australia from a short overseas trip.

He has been charged with one count of aggravated sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 16 years in connection with events alleged to have occurred in Croydon Park on 24 March 2002.

The charge forms part of a long-running investigation into allegations that four men sexually assaulted two girls, aged 13 and 14, during the same incident.

According to NSW Police, Strike Force Fairhall was established by the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad in 2025 to reinvestigate the case after advances in forensic technology prompted a review of evidence collected more than two decades earlier.

Investigators say biological material obtained during the original investigation was re-examined in 2024, leading to new DNA matches that identified Younan as a person of interest.

Police allege those forensic results ultimately provided sufficient evidence to lay charges almost 24 years after the alleged offences took place.

The reopening of historical sexual assault investigations through improved DNA analysis has become increasingly common across Australia as forensic science continues to develop, allowing investigators to revisit evidence that previously could not produce conclusive identifications.

During Wednesday’s bail hearing, prosecutors argued they possessed a strong case against Younan.

Police told the court that multiple DNA matches had allegedly been identified, including biological evidence recovered during the original investigation.

The prosecution also submitted that one of the complainants had continued to consistently support her original account when interviewed again in recent years.

Defence lawyers, however, disputed aspects of the prosecution case.

Counsel told the court that several factual and legal issues remained to be determined at trial.

According to submissions reported from the hearing, the defence argued Younan was 18 years old at the time of the alleged incident and denied any criminal wrongdoing.

The defence also argued questions surrounding consent and knowledge of the complainant’s age would ultimately need to be resolved by a court hearing all of the evidence. Those submissions represent the defence case only and have not been tested at trial.

Judge Daniel Covington acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and described the prosecution evidence as concerning.

He observed that, if convicted, Younan would likely face a substantial prison sentence.

Nevertheless, the court concluded that strict bail conditions could adequately manage any risks pending future proceedings.

Under those conditions, Younan must report to Bankstown Police Station every day, surrender his passport, remain within New South Wales, avoid any contact with the complainants and refrain from using encrypted communication applications or multiple mobile phones.

A third party was also required to lodge a $20,000 security, which could be forfeited if he failed to comply with his bail obligations.

The case is scheduled to return to Burwood Local Court on 23 September.

Police have confirmed that Strike Force Fairhall remains active, meaning investigators continue examining whether further evidence or additional charges may emerge from the historical investigation.

Authorities have not alleged that the current proceedings involve every person connected with the original investigation.

The ongoing inquiry highlights the increasing role of modern forensic techniques in historical criminal investigations, particularly where advances in DNA profiling can identify suspects years after alleged offences occurred.

Across Australia, police agencies have successfully reopened numerous cold cases over the past decade using technologies unavailable when many offences were originally investigated.

Those developments have allowed prosecutors to pursue cases that previously lacked sufficient evidentiary support while also providing alleged victims with opportunities to have long-standing complaints reconsidered through the courts.

At the same time, Australia’s criminal justice system continues to operate under the fundamental principle that every accused person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Although prosecutors say they possess compelling forensic evidence, Younan has not entered a guilty plea and the allegations have yet to be tested before a trial court.

Any findings regarding criminal responsibility will ultimately be determined by the judicial process after all admissible evidence has been presented and challenged.

The investigation has attracted considerable public attention because of both the age of the allegations and the involvement of an individual identified by police as a member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle gang.

However, the current charge relates solely to the alleged conduct described in court proceedings and should not be interpreted as establishing guilt or responsibility for any other criminal activity.

As the prosecution moves forward, investigators are expected to continue reviewing historical evidence gathered during the original 2002 investigation while preparing the matter for future court hearings.

The case serves as another reminder that serious criminal allegations can still be prosecuted decades later when new scientific evidence becomes available, while also reinforcing the importance of ensuring all defendants receive a fair trial under Australian law.