Depraved teen trio accused of vile rape at knifepoint

Police have released dramatic footage of the arrest of a teenager wanted after a woman was allegedly raped at knifepoint in a sickening home invasion in Cairns.

A woman was taken at knifepoint and raped while a blade was held to her husband’s throat in a sickening home invasion allegedly at the hands of three teenagers in Cairns.

The incident has shocked the state and senior police.

The husband and wife in their 30s were asleep in their bed when they were allegedly woken by the three teenage boys – two aged 15 and one 16 – who held them at knifepoint about 3.30am.

As one of boys allegedly held the knife to the man, the other two took the woman to an outside area of the Manunda home where she was raped.

The Courier-Mail has been told one of the 15-year-olds was released from Cleveland Youth Detention Centre last month.

Police released dramatic arrest footage of them chasing one of the accused at Manunda on Friday afternoon in relation to the alleged break and enter and sexual assault. The body cam footage shows at least two police officers giving chase along McCormack Street before apprehending the teen.

Detective Inspector Kev Goan said the incident was “one of the most abhorrent acts” he had been aware of in more than 38 years as a police officer.

Premier David Crisafulli, who visited Cairns on Friday, condemned the alleged attack, vowing to bring justice for the victims.

“This crime is sickening and heinous and those responsible should be made to pay,” he said.

One 15-year-old and the 16-year-old have been charged with eleven offences each, including five counts of rape and two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, one count each of enter dwelling and commit, and enter dwelling with intent by break at night while armed in company. Both boys are expected to appear before Cairns Children’s Court on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan.

The second 15-year-old boy was taken into custody late on Friday.

The Courier-Mail understands one of the boys arrested has been under the care of the Department of Child Safety and has a significant criminal history.

“I can say this is horrific,” Insp Goan said.

“For a young couple to be in bed, to have their home invaded by three intruders and for the male to be held at knifepoint while his partner is subject to sexual assaults while her assailants are also armed.

“The impacts of the offending will have a significant impact on two victims and our deepest sympathies go out to those two victims.”

Insp Goan said the horrific ordeal lasted between 10 and 15 minutes.

He said the youths had demanded watches, access to bank accounts, phones and car keys.

He said police believed the youths were involved in other break-ins around Cairns.

He said police were providing support to the two people.

“The victims as I say will live with this experience for the rest of their lives and our hearts do go out to them for what they have had to live through,” Insp Goan said.

“We have engaged our victims of crime and community recovery team who have been actively engaged with them to see that they are appropriately supported through the immediate events and into the future.”

Mr Crisafulli said the current level of crime in the state was unacceptable.

“I just want to make the observation that the allegations are sickening and they’re harrowing, and I want Queenslanders to know that bringing justice to this family and the state is my number one priority,” he said.

“I don’t think crime anywhere in the state is acceptable at the level it is, but in the Far North at the moment, it’s horrendous, and it’s ripping the heart and soul out of a beautiful part of the state.

“And I want people to know that this is our number one priority, and we will continue to change the law until we drive down the number of victims. And that is, that is our number one priority.

Cairns, 15 January 2025. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli during a press conference at the Cairns police station. Picture: Supplied

“I want Queenslanders to know I’m not going to take one step away from continuing to change laws and give more police until we see victim numbers coming down.”

Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior told The Courier-Mail that if there was “any evidence those accused of this crime should have been in custody instead of the community I hope that explored”.

He said the alleged crime was horrific and first-response police had rapidly tracked down the accused offenders.

“A judicial review commission would make magistrates and judges accountable for the decisions they make,” he said.

“The local police were able to respond swiftly because they are experts in triaging calls for help.”

Originally published as Depraved teen trio accused of vile rape at knifepoint