Man faces kid abuse charges

AN alleged child abuser has been arrested in a raid on a Biggera Waters home.

Detectives from the Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) swooped on the home after an investigation into the abuse of a young girl over a seven-year period came to a head on Monday night.

Police will allege the 54year-old man was a family friend of the child, 13, and began abusing her when she was just six years old in 2013, and continued to do so until this year.

The man has been charged with six counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12.

It is understood the investigation was launched after the girl made disclosures to someone close to her and police were informed on February 8.

Detective Senior Sergeant Troy Penrose, who heads the Gold Coast CPIU, said it was a solid effort by police to charge the man following the com- plaint being made last week.

“We will allege the person was well known to the family and it was a long period of isolated abuse, a number of different incidents over a long period,” Sen-Sgt Penrose said.

“She made some disclosures to various people who informed police, which launched the investigation and off we went. It was very good work … the investigations involved speaking to a lot of people in a wide circle and it has worked out well.”

Sen-Sgt Penrose said protection of children and investigation of sex crimes had high priority.

“We take these types of allegations extremely seriously,’’ he said. The man is expected to front Southport Magistrates Court again on February 25.

Police said investigations were continuing and appealed for anyone with information about the case, or any involving child abuse, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.