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UK backpacker 'raped repeatedly' over two months in Australia UK backpacker 'raped repeatedly' over two months in Australia
(about 1 hour later)
A British backpacker was allegedly raped, assaulted and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in Australia. A UK backpacker was raped, assaulted and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in Australia, police have said.
The woman, 22, was subjected to attacks in locations across the vast state of Queensland, police say. The 22-year-old woman was subjected to numerous attacks across the state of Queensland, officers said.
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. She was found 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 was arrested in the back of the vehicle, police said. An Australian man who appeared to be hiding in the back of the vehicle was arrested, police said.
Detective Inspector Paul Hart told reporters that the woman had gone through a "horrific and terrifying" experience , and that officers "potentially saved this young girl's life". Detective Inspector Paul Hart told reporters that the woman had gone through a "horrific and terrifying" experience, and that officers "potentially saved this young girl's life".
What do police allege happened? The unnamed British woman was a tourist who had been in Australia since 2015, he said. She had not been reported as missing.
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. Damaged passport
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. The pair are said to have met three months ago at a party in Cairns, in Far North Queensland, and began a relationship before agreeing to go on a road trip.
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. "At some point that [relationship] had soured" and the woman was held against her will, police said.
Reports said she had stopped to pump petrol at a service station, and fled without paying. Station staff then alerted a nearby police car which gave chase and pulled over her vehicle. The man subsequently damaged and invalidated her passport, possibly to prevent her escape, Queensland Police said.
Insp Hart said officers immediately detected something was wrong. It is alleged she was repeatedly attacked between 2 January and 5 March.
"She told police the perpetrator was actually hiding in the vehicle," he said. Police said the woman had appeared distressed when their 4x4 was pulled over on a routine stop on the Warrego Highway at Mitchell, more than 1,000km (620 miles) south of Cairns.
Police officers searched the vehicle and found the man at the rear underneath clothing and other items, said Insp Hart. Reports said she had driven off without paying for petrol at a service station, prompting staff to alert a nearby police car which gave chase and pulled over her vehicle.
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. Insp Hart said officers, who had noticed her injuries, were told by her that the man was hiding in the back.
What support is the woman receiving? Officers found him under a pile of clothes, he added.
Police said the victim was treated for injuries including facial fractures, bruising, abrasions to her neck, and cuts to her body. 'Great courage'
Insp Hart said the "very prolonged" ordeal had also left her with psychological injuries. She appeared terrified when found, he said. A 22-year-old man, from Cairns, has been charged with a string of offences, including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault and four counts of strangulation.
"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. Police said the victim was being treated for facial fractures, bruising, abrasions to her neck and cuts to her body.
He described the woman as a tourist who had been in Australia since 2015. She had not been reported missing. Insp Hart said the "very prolonged" ordeal had left her with psychological injuries.
"What's happened to this lady is quite catastrophic so there are numerous supports that are being put in place to help her out," Insp Hart said.
Since Sunday, the woman had made contact with family in the UK and friends in Australia.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."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. He said the woman would require a new passport because her existing one had been damaged.
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 UK Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are supporting a British woman following an incident in Queensland, and remain in contact with the local authorities."
What happens next? The suspect, who is facing rape, strangulation and assault charges, has also been charged with two counts of deprivation of liberty, 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 and will go before the courts 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.