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A 58-year-old man has been arrested in Cairns on numerous child sex offences over the alleged grooming and exploitation of at least eight vulnerable young people.
Police say he was taken into custody on Sunday.
It’s alleged the young girls, seven of which are aged under 16, were groomed, supplied with drugs including methylamphetamine and cannabis and indecently assaulted between January this year and the time of the man’s arrest.
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The charges include 11 counts of supplying drugs to a minor under 16, six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16, two counts each of supplying and possessing drugs and one count each of grooming, attempting to procure indecent treatment, possessing S4 poison and possessing a drug utensil.
S4 poisons are prescription only medicines.
A special investigation named Operation Uniform Kalahari was set up to pursue the matter.
Officer in Charge of the Cairns District Child Protection and Investigation Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Gooiker, praised the victims’ bravery.
“We will investigate all reports of offences against children, and arrest and charge alleged offenders within the full force of the law,” he said.
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Police are providing support to the victims and their families, and have appealed for anyone with further information to come forward.
This includes anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been impacted.
Investigations remain ongoing.
The charged man has faced the Cairns Magistrates Court.
He’s been remanded in custody to reappear in August.
Main points
- A 58-year-old man has been arrested on numerous offences
- Eight alleged victims include seven girls aged under 16
- The police investigation is ongoing
