Mackay man charged with sexually assaulting two women

Police are investigating reports other women may have been approached by a man at Mackay parks and beaches who pretended to be a yoga instructor offering help with poses before allegedly carrying out sexual assaults.

Police are calling for women who may have been sexually assaulted in public parks and beaches in the Northern Beaches to come forward after a man, who is accused of posing as a yoga instructor, was charged over two alleged sex attacks.

Mackay Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said a 28-year-old Bucasia man had been charged with sexual assault against two women, aged in their 20s, over an alleged incident on April 21.

He was arrested and charged on May 19 and will appear in Mackay Magistrates Court later this month.

Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch OIC Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said police were calling women who had been sexually assaulted by a man claiming to be a yoga instructor to come forward. Picture: Janessa Ekert

It is understood the man was released on bail. Because of the nature of the charges the man cannot be named until the matters have been committed to the district court and only if it will not identify any of the women.

Police alleged the man entered a pilates and yoga studio on Carl Crt and sexually assaulted two women “under the guise of pretending to instruct them in some yoga poses”.

“We’ve received a number of reports from women and also through third-hand information that suggests there have been other women over the past four to five months who may have been approached by a male person in public places such as parks and beaches,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said.

“We believe that person has approached women stating that he was a yoga instructor or could show them fitness movements and in the course of that they’ve (allegedly) been sexually assaulted and inappropriately touched.”

It is unknown if the man had approached the women and offered to start a fitness class or if the women had already been in the middle of exercising in the public places.

“What we do know is we have a number of reports of a person who has pretended to help women with yoga or fitness poses and in the course of that activity, (alleged) sexual assault have occurred,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said.

The investigation so far has identified “young women in their 20s and upwards” had been targeted with all the conduct occurring within the Northern Beaches, he said.

“We would very much encourage any of those women to come forward and contact police,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said, adding anyone who had witnessed any such conduct is also urged to contact police.

He added it was unknown if the allegations were all linked to the same person and investigations were ongoing.

“The information that we have is that the (alleged) offences have been committed in the daylight hours,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said.

“Police conducted an investigation and as a result of that we’ve identified that there possibly are further offences.

“We’re not suggesting that these offences are linked to this individual but that is something we are certainly keeping an open mind on.”

Senior Sergeant Eaton remained tight-lipped on who may have already come forward as the matter was both before the courts and part of an ongoing investigation.

“It’s a concern for us and we’re asking people who may have witnessed or have knowledge of this (to step forward).

“Any assault on a person, but particularly a sexual assault of women in public places is a matter of concern for us and we’ll certainly always treat it very seriously.”

Anyone with information should contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers and quote reference number: QP2200910632.