Melbourne man refused bail after allegedly drugging teenage boy on cruise ship
A Melbourne man is facing life imprisonment if convicted of drugging, and sexually assaulting, a boy while on a cruise ship off the coast of Queensland.
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A Flight Centre employee has been refused bail after allegedly drugging a teenager while on a cruise ship off the Queensland coast.
Police prosecution fought against an application for bail made today by a Melbourne man, 37, at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court citing the seriousness of the alleged offending.
The Melbourne man is facing life imprisonment if convicted of the charge stupefying in order to commit an indictable offence, allegedly against a 16-year-old boy while on a cruise ship off the coast of Queensland on February 26.
He is also charged with sexual assault.
Snr Constable Miles told the court the Flight Centre travel agent and former international flight attendant, was on a cruise ship off the coast of Queensland when he saw the 16-year-old boy looking for his friends.
The man allegedly told the boy his friends were in his cabin, which they were not. The boy walked with the defendant to his cabin where the alleged crime took place.
Magistrate Melanie Ho confirmed the seriousness of the charges, saying the charge of stupefying in order to commit an indictable offence carried a life sentence while the charge of sexual assault can carry a possible 10-year prison sentence.
The defendant’s lawyer Brandon Wheelan expressed concerns over the charge, stating the drug, amyl nitrate, was allegedly used to “heighten sexual pleasure” and not to stupefy.
Mr Wheelan argued to allow his client bail, where he would stay with his mother in Gladstone if not allowed to return to Victoria.
Ms Ho refused bail due to the nature of the charge and an unacceptable risk of failing to appear and surrender into custody due to the defendant’s connections to international travel.
“If found guilty of these offences as they stand, he is likely to serve a term of imprisonment for a life offence.”
The man is due to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court tomorrow, February 29.
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