A Nova Scotia man faces several charges after someone broke into a home and started to cut the clothing off a sleeping 14-year-old girl.

Amherst police said the intruder used scissors to snip the girl's clothing during the break-in in Amherst, about 115 kilometres north of Halifax near the border with New Brunswick.

He fled when the girl began to wake up.

A man was arrested in connection with the crime.

Police said the girl doesn't know the suspect. They're calling the incident a random act.

Harvey Joseph Venus, 19, appeared in court Wednesday and was charged with breaking and entering, attempted sexual assault and prowling.

He's scheduled to remain in custody until his next court appearance, on June 15.