Man on sex charges
Including repeated rape of stepdaughter
A CAIRNS man will appear in court later this month charged with historic sex offences involving the repeated rape and indecent treatment of his stepdaughter over 12 years.
The 46-year-old, who cannot be identified to protect the victim, is accused of sexually assaulting the girl while she was aged between six and 18.
The offences allegedly took place between 1996 and 2008.
He is facing a total of 33 charges which include nine counts of rape, 10 counts of incident dealings and multiple counts of indecent treatment including allegations he showed her explicit films.
Detectives from Townsville’s Child Protection and Investigation Unit travelled to Cairns on Tuesday to take the man into custody. He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 25.
It is alleged he was the victim’s stepfather since she was aged two.
The alleged offending took place in both Gordonvale and Cairns.
Eleven of the charges of incident treatment allegedly took place before she turned 12, with the remainder occurring when she was aged between 12 and 16.
Townsville police Acting Det Insp Dave Miles said an investigation was launched after the victim, who is now an adult, approached police.
“This is a matter of historical offence, has been reported to us when the victim has been supported and come forward to police,” he said. “Which resulted in a fairly lengthy investigation taking place culminating in the arrest (on Tuesday).
“Victims speak to us in their own time and the nature of the investigations are that they are detailed and complex but we continue to pursue them with the sole intention of placing perpetrators before the court
“Police will allege he has utilised a position of trust to violate a child in his care over a long period of time
“From the time she turned 6 he offended against her until she turned 18.”
The man has been bailed to appear in court later this month.
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