’A woman’s and wife’s worst nightmare’: MP’s vow after sickening alleged attack
The alleged offenders accused of raping a woman and holding her husband at knifepoint inside their Qld home will face the prospect of a lifetime behind bars, if found guilty under the Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
Cairns
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The alleged offenders accused of raping a woman and holding her husband at knifepoint inside their Cairns home will face the prospect of a lifetime behind bars, if found guilty under the Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
But a determined Far North MP says the recent changes aren’t enough, vowing to do more to stop crime from overrunning the city as the community comes to grips with the sickening alleged attack.
Three teenage boys were charged at the weekend over a violent home invasion of a couple’s home in Manunda that occurred in the early hours of Friday morning.
It is alleged that during the break-in, the woman was dragged from her bed and raped while a knife was held to her husband’s throat during the traumatic attack.
The accused boys, two aged 15 and one aged 16, are each facing charges of rape, armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, enter dwelling and commit, and enter dwelling with intent by break at night while armed in company.
They have not entered any pleas.
The awful nature of the alleged crime angered Member for Barron River Bree James, who said all families and couples had a right to feel safe in their own homes.
LNP members said the details of the attack had “rocked” the Assistant Tourism Minister, who learned of the alleged incident while travelling through Roma on a work trip.
“These heinous crimes are a woman’s and wife’s worst nightmare, and these allegations chill me to my core,” Ms James said.
“I am not going to mince my words here, filth who commit crimes like these should be locked up for life.
“Anyone who commits crimes like these do not deserve to be on our streets and do not deserve to be in our community, full stop.”
The alleged incident has sent shockwaves through the community and across social media, with women sharing home and personal safety tips, self-defence deterrents, advice and calls for action.
One woman lamented the state of her “beloved” city, asking what could be done to make Cairns safe again.
People have suggested getting guard dogs, keeping baseball or cricket bats within arms reach of beds, or even wasp spray or aerosols.
“One thing to remember is (to) always check your doors and lock them properly before sleep, look after each other (neighbours), stay alert,” one social media user wrote.
“Never leave your purse or anything expensive in your car, keep something under the bed to help you in such situations… chilli powder in (a) drawer next to (the) bed.”
Other users have called to the community to rally at the Community Cabinet meeting in Cairns on Saturday, March 2, and raise the issue of rape and violence in the community with the Premier and ministers.
‘SERIOUS PENALTIES’
The LNP has endured criticism for failing to include serious offences, including, rape, deprivation of liberty and attempted murder, as part of the first wave of its Adult Crime, Adult Time laws passed last year.
Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, who has argued that the changes didn’t go far enough, said the case will serve as a study for how effective the Crisafulli government’s new laws are, if the teens are found guilty.
“This new state government has made some bold promises to the people of Queensland in relation to driving down crime,” Mr Dametto said.
“I can assure you the people of North Queensland over the coming weeks and months will be tuned in to the courts.”
Given that armed robbery and the intent charges are included in the LNP’s Making Queensland Safer laws, it’s understood that the trio will face a possible maximum of life in jail with a 15-year non-parole period if the charges are proven.
“I know (they) are facing very serious penalties under our adult crime adult time laws, but we have a long way to go to turn around the youth crime crisis,” Ms James said.
“I will campaign every day to make sure youth justice laws continue to be strengthened, not weakened, like they were over the past 10 years.”
Police Minister Dan Purdie strongly defended the LNP’s amendments to the Youth Justice Act on Sunday.
“Those people have been charged with a life imprisonment offence,” Mr Purdie said.
“That’s in stark contrast to what they would have faced under Labor’s laws.”
Premier David Crisafulli said Queenslanders could expect even tougher laws to be introduced in the near future.
“There will be further changes and this is one of them,” he said.
“I can assure you that there will be many other crimes that will be considered by that panel.
“Every change considered will be about strengthening the law, not weakening it.
“After 10 years of it going in the other direction, I think that shows how serious we are about addressing this youth crime crisis that is gripping this state.
“The days of the (Youth Justice) Act being weakened and excuses are over.”
Harsher punishment for rape offences committed by juveniles will be introduced later this year, Mr Crisafulli said.
“There are complexities involved with rape charges but my view is that it has to be strengthened,” he said.
“It’s important that we have the best minds work out what that looks like.
“But the changes won’t go in the other direction … I am far from satisfied with where things are.”
SHOCKED COMMUNITY
Manunda resident Rosie Barlow described her shock upon learning of the alleged incident late last week.
“We woke up in the morning and the police were (around),” Ms Barlow said.
“I thought someone had died.
“It’s very scary, we had our car stolen a couple of years ago, that involved someone we didn’t see come into the kitchen, I was probably affected for six months after that.
“That’s bad enough, but it does feel like this is next level.”
Ms Barlow said her heart was with the couple.
“There’s a sense of impotence... you feel like there is something you can do but you don’t know what,” she said.
“I was just shocked and so saddened for what that couple are going through and I don’t know if they would ever feel safe.
“It’s something that they will live with for a long time.”
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said the alleged attack had stunned him.
“The reports of this sickening and repulsive event are frightening and hugely concerning to everyone across our community,” Mr Healy said.
“On behalf of the Cairns community, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to those impacted, along with our thoughts and prayers.
“I also want to extend our thanks to the region’s hard working police for their work.”
Mr Crisafulli said: “There’s a family that deserves justice and a whole state that’s praying for it.”
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