Cairns man charged with indecent assault of vulnerable girls in Far North Queensland

A 67-year-old Cairns man has been charged with drugging, indecently assaulting and raping vulnerable girls.

A Cairns man raped one teen girl and drugged and indecently assaulted at least seven others, police allege.

The 67-year-old man was charged with five counts of supply dangerous drugs to a minor, three counts of wounding, two counts each of indecent treatment of children under 16-years and grooming a child under 16-years, one count each of rape and sexual assault.

A man has been charged with the indecent assault of eight vulnerable girls in Far North Queensland. Picture: Supplied

The 14 charges came as the Child Protection and Investigation Unit extensively investigated the alleged grooming and exploitation of children in the Cairns area since January this year, as part of Operation Uniform Kalahari.

The man, who is due to face Cairns Magistrates Court today, is the second man to be charged as part of Operation Uniform Kalahari this week.

Officer in Charge of the Cairns District CPIU Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Gooiker says protecting vulnerable young people is the top priority for police.

“We will investigate all reports of offences against children, and arrest and charge alleged offenders within the full force of the law.”

“The immense bravery of victims’ in these matters to come forward and speak to police, allows the QPS to track down these offenders and put them before the courts.”

Police and other support services are providing assistance to the young people involved and their families.

Anyone with information or who believes they or someone they know may have been impacted to come forward while investigations remain ongoing.