Garbutt man arrested for 1992 kidnapping of nurse on Flinders Highway

More than 30 years after a nurse was allegedly kidnapped on a highway in outback Queensland, a 66-year-old North Queensland man has faced court.

Police have arrested a Garbutt man over a 1992 abduction from the Flinders Hwy.

Mount Isa police have arrested a Townsville man over the horrifying abduction of a young woman from a remote stretch of the Flinders Hwy in 1992.

The 66-year-old man, who the Townsville Bulletin can reveal is Tony Allan Devine, was arrested on Friday, May 16, by police.

It is understood Mr Devine was living in Garbutt.

He was charged with two counts of robbery, and one count each of kidnapping for ransom, deprivation of liberty, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Flinders Highway between Richmond and Maxwelton.

Police allege that on June 24, 1992, two men abducted a 23-year-old woman after flagging her down on the Flinders Hwy near Maxwelton.

The ABC reported the man was refused bail after appearing in the Townsville Magistrates Court over the weekend.

Detective Sergeant Simon Murphy, from the Mount Isa Criminal Investigation Branch, told the ABC police will allege the man was one of two men who abducted the nurse after flagging her down.

The two men then allegedly drove the young woman up the Queensland coast, holding her hostage and threatening her with several firearms in the vehicle.

Dect. Sgt Murphy said the woman allegedly escaped from the moving vehicle near Cooktown.

The first man charged was convicted in 1997.

Mr Devine is expected to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court again on July 23.

Originally published as Garbutt man arrested for 1992 kidnapping of nurse on Flinders Highway