A 44-year-old man has been extradited from South Australia to face court over the brutal sexual assault of a teenage girl that occurred more than 20 years ago in a nightclub car park. 

John Clayton Sims, 44, will face court on Thursday for the alleged attack on the 19-year-old in the car park of the Kicks nightclub on March 9, 1996.

She was allegedly beaten and sexually assaulted after leaving the club to speak to a man she thought was an acquaintance of her boyfriend.

John Sims was extradited from South Australia on Wednesday night to face court on Thursday over a crime that occurred 20 years ago

Sims has been arrested and charged with the brutal sexual assault of a 19-year-old in Parramatta in 1996

The girl was later found unconscious by police, and was taken to Westmead Hospital, where she spent weeks recovering from serious injuries, including facial fractures and brain damage.

An extensive investigation was launched, which included the gathering of forensic evidence but no arrests were made or even suspects identified.

Further forensic testing occurred last year, and a lucky find saw the case transferred to the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad.

The team were able to use the new evidence to arrest and charge Sims on Monday and extradite him from South Australia on Wednesday.

The man has been charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated sexual assault – inflicting actual bodily harm and inflicting actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse.

He was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court today.

He was held at Surry Hills Police Station overnight before his court appearance at Central Local Court

Police investigating at the time found no suspects, until retesting evidence last year awarded them a lucky break

The assault occurred at what used to be Kicks Nightclub, and is now part of Parramatta Leagues Club

The girl who was assaulted arrived in hospital with facial fractures and brain damage