Shock claim of child rape

JANESSA EKERT

Steve McGuinness of Mission Beach Wildcare said there had been reports of people feeding cassowaries in the local area, which may have contributed to it being lured back to the area.

Graham Lauridsen from Tropical Vet Services said a post mortem examination found traces of domestic fruits in its stomach.

A Department of Environ- three counts of indecent treatment of child under 15 (permit) and two counts of indecent treatment of child under 16 (expose).

Due to the nature of the charges, the Weekend Post legally cannot not reveal the identity of the accused.

Under Queensland law, a person accused of rape, attempted rape, assault with intent to commit rape and sexual assault cannot be identified until the case had been committed to the District Court and only then if it will not identify any complainants.

Matters were recently mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court.

It is understood police began investigating the allega- ment and Science spokeswoman said officers were investigating the death and had noted there had been 16 vehicle strikes in the Far North in the past six months, resulting in eight deaths. There is no penalty for hitting a cassowary with a vehicle but anyone that comes across a sick, injured or orphaned cassowary, is asked to call the Department of Environment and Science on 1300 130 372. tions in January this year and charges were laid.

The matters were first mentioned in court on January 10.

Any person convicted of rape faces a maximum of life imprisonment.

According to the Queensland Criminal Code, the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of indecent treatment against a child under 16 is 14 years’ jail. If the child is under 12, the maximum penalty increases to 20 years’ jail.

The case against the woman was adjourned until later this month.