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Lifeguard charged with additional offences after allegedly filming of children at Cairns’ Tobruk pool

A Clifton Beach man, 23, will now face further charges after he allegedly indecently filmed kids at a public pool.

The Cairns police who investigate the worst crimes against FNQ's children

Police have charged a 23-year-old Clifton Beach man with further offences following investigations into the alleged inappropriate filming of children at Tobruk Memorial Pool.

He has been charged with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and seven counts of observations or recordings in breach of privacy.

The man was initially arrested on November 22 after he allegedly used a phone to film at least one child while in the changerooms at the complex on Monday, November 21 between 4pm-6pm.

Police said they have since reviewed several electronic devices that were seized during the initial investigation, relating to similar incidents at the public swimming complex in Cairns North and a private residence in Clifton Beach.

He has been charged with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and seven counts of observations or recordings in breach of privacy.

Police have charged a Tobruk Memorial Pool employee with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 seven counts of observations or recordings in breach of privacy and he will face Cairns Magistrates Court on December 12. Picture: Justin Brierty
Police have charged a Tobruk Memorial Pool employee with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 seven counts of observations or recordings in breach of privacy and he will face Cairns Magistrates Court on December 12. Picture: Justin Brierty

The man charged by police for allegedly taking indecent images of children at Tobruk Memorial Pool in Cairns was one of the facility’s lifeguards.

A spokeswoman for Belgravia Leisure, the lessee of the aquatic facility and the employer, said the company would conduct its own full review and take any “appropriate measures necessary”, in addition to co-operating with the police investigation.

“We responded to a serious breach of privacy by a team member at Tobruk Memorial Pool involving a young female guest. Immediate action was taken as soon as staff were alerted, and the matter is now a police investigation,” the spokeswoman said.

“Management and staff are concerned that this incident has occurred … We also remain in touch with the guest and her family and will offer any support that we can.

“The health and safety of our guests is always our primary objective and we are very mindful of our responsibilities to them. We pride ourselves on this being a safe environment for guests to enjoy.”

It is understood some Tobruk Memorial Pool employees have received instruction to renew their working with children checks, or Blue Card, in the wake of the incident.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said investigations remain ongoing, “with detectives appealing for anyone with information which may assist investigations to contact them”.

alison.paterson@news.com.au

Originally published as Lifeguard charged with additional offences after allegedly filming of children at Cairns’ Tobruk pool

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/cairns/police-charge-man-23-with-indecent-treatment-after-allegedly-filming-children-at-cairns-north-pool/news-story/e299b0bf3b5f8c415ae1c67e061d2f30