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UK backpacker 'raped repeatedly' over two months in Australia UK backpacker 'raped repeatedly' over two months in Australia
(about 4 hours later)
A British backpacker was allegedly raped, assaulted and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in Australia.A British backpacker was allegedly raped, assaulted and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in Australia.
The 22-year-old woman was subjected to repeated attacks in locations across Queensland, police say. The 22-year-old woman was subjected to repeated attacks in locations across vast Queensland, police say.
The ordeal ended on Sunday when police made a routine stop of a vehicle being driven by the woman, and noticed she had serious facial injuries. The ordeal ended on Sunday when police stopped a vehicle being driven by the woman, after she failed to pay for petrol, and saw she had face injuries.
An Australian man who appeared to be "hiding from police" was arrested in the back of the vehicle, police said. An Australian man who appeared to be hiding was arrested in the back of the vehicle, police said.
What do police allege happened?What do police allege happened?
Authorities allege the pair met three months ago in northern Queensland before agreeing to go on a road trip. Authorities allege the pair met three months ago in Cairns, in Far North Queensland, and began a relationship before agreeing to go on a road trip.
Police say the woman was then held against her will and repeatedly attacked between 2 January and 5 March. Police say "at some point that [relationship] had soured" and the woman was held against her will. It is alleged she was repeatedly attacked between 2 January and 5 March.
She appeared distressed when the vehicle was pulled over on the Warrego Highway at Mitchell, 560km (350 miles) north-west of Brisbane, police said. She appeared distressed when the 4x4 was pulled over on a routine stop on the Warrego Highway at Mitchell, more than 1,000km (620 miles) south of Cairns, police said.
Detective Inspector Paul Hart said police immediately detected something was wrong.
"She told police the perpetrator was actually hiding in the vehicle," Insp Hart said.
"Police have then searched the vehicle and found him in the rear compartment amongst property belonging to the pair."
The 22-year-old man, from Cairns, is facing charges including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, four counts of strangulation and two counts of deprivation of liberty.The 22-year-old man, from Cairns, is facing charges including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, four counts of strangulation and two counts of deprivation of liberty.
"During the course of their travels throughout the state then a number of very serious offences have occurred," Detective Inspector Paul Hart told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Police said the accused man was found in a storage alcove.
"We will allege that the male person was secreted in the back section of the vehicle which made it quite difficult to find him," Insp Hart said.
What support is the woman receiving?What support is the woman receiving?
Police said the victim was treated for injuries including facial fractures, bruising and cuts to her body.Police said the victim was treated for injuries including facial fractures, bruising and cuts to her body.
Insp Hart said the "very prolonged" ordeal had also left her with psychological injuries. She appeared "terrified" when found, he said. Insp Hart said the "very prolonged" ordeal had also left her with psychological injuries. She appeared terrified when found, he said.
"We would certainly say that what's happened to this lady is quite catastrophic so there are numerous supports that are being put in place to help her out during through this period," Insp Hart said."We would certainly say that what's happened to this lady is quite catastrophic so there are numerous supports that are being put in place to help her out during through this period," Insp Hart said.
He said the woman was considering returning to the UK. He described the woman as a tourist who had been in Australia since 2015. She had not been reported missing.
Since Sunday, the woman had made contact with family in the UK and friends in Australia.
"It has taken great courage for our victim in this instance to provide the detail she has," Insp Hart said.
He said the woman would require a new passport because her existing one had been damaged by her alleged attacker.
A British High Commission spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British woman following an incident in Queensland, and remain in contact with the local authorities."A British High Commission spokesperson said: "We are supporting a British woman following an incident in Queensland, and remain in contact with the local authorities."
What is the legal process?What is the legal process?
The man is also facing charges of causing wilful damage, possessing drugs and drug equipment, and obstructing police.The man is also facing charges of causing wilful damage, possessing drugs and drug equipment, and obstructing police.
He faced the Roma Magistrates Court, about 80km from Mitchell, on Monday.He faced the Roma Magistrates Court, about 80km from Mitchell, on Monday.
The man was refused bail to face court again on 23 May, according to Brisbane's Courier Mail.The man was refused bail to face court again on 23 May, according to Brisbane's Courier Mail.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.Police have urged anyone with information to come forward.