Police are treating the alleged rape and kidnapping of a 22-year-old British tourist from Cairns who was apprehended near Mitchell late on Sunday, as a victim of domestic violence.
The 22-year-old woman was driving a vehicle which was intercepted by the Mitchell police late on Sunday afternoon, after the Caltex fuel operator alerted them that she had driven off without paying for petrol.
When police intercepted the vehicle they noticed the young women was visibly distressed and had injuries to her face.
They allege a 22-year-old man was later found hiding in an alcove in the rear of the vehicle.
The man has been charged with four counts of rape, eight counts of assault, and four counts of strangulation and deprivation of liberty, dated from February 3 to March 5. Other charges laid against him include obstructing the police when arrested, drugs, and wilful damage.
He has since appeared in the Roma Magistrates Court and been refused bail, and has been transferred to the Toowoomba Watch House. He will re-appear in court as early as next week.
According to police, the couple first met in late January at a music festival, before forming a relationship.
It was a few days later that the 22-year-old NSW man, now living in Cairns, allegedly began abusing the victim, who has been in Australia on a tourist visa since April 2015.
Their relationship then soured, and the victim was held again her will in a Cairns hotel room, before the tortuous road trip.
Police believe they travelled to Gordonvale and down to Bowen, then through parts of central Queensland and the Darling Downs to the Maranoa, where they were intercepted on the Warrego Highway heading for Charleville.
South West District Crime Group Inspector Paul Hart said by apprehending the vehicle after it drove off without paying for petrol at Mitchell, they had saved the woman’s life.
The victim was treated for her injuries including facial fractures, cuts and bruising in the Roma Hospital, and has since been discharged. Her injuries are consistent with her police statement.
Inspector Hart said this arrest has rocked the south west Queensland community.
“We thank the community for their support and are keen to track the path the couple travelled since leaving Cairns,” he said.
He said the investigation was ongoing and police were keen to for more information to come forward.
“If anyone has any information from Cairns through to Mitchell that might assist the police we ask them to come forward.“
*To report information on a crime, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
