A man has been arrested and charged in Nova Scotia after RCMP located him in connection with a violent sexual assault that took place nearly 14 years ago in Red Deer.

Lawrence MacPherson, 36, has been charged with one count of sexual assault, one count of forcible confinement and one count of uttering threats.

He made his first appearance in Red Deer provincial court last week and made his second appearance in court this morning.

During the early morning hours of July 25, 1998 an 18-year-old woman was violently sexually assaulted in a park near the Cemetery on 67th St.

Investigators at the time seized evidence in which DNA was found, however, no matches were identified at the time.

In June 2010 Red Deer City RCMP were notified that a match had been found through the DNA Data Bank. A subsequent investigation ensued, and in July 2011 charges were laid and a warrant was issued for the accused who was transient and of no known fixed address.

The accused was found in Nova Scotia, the warrants were executed and on

May 14, 2012 the accused was transported from Halifax to Red Deer.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com