Cairns teenager charged over random attacks on international tourists

A TEENAGER allegedly raped a young international tourist in Far North Queensland, before bashing and attempting to rape another.

Police say a teenager hid in mud near the Cairns Esplanade after raping and attempting to rape two international tourists.

A TEENAGER allegedly brutally raped a young international tourist, before bashing and attempting to rape another, in two apparently random attacks in Far North Queensland.

The 18-year-old from Cairns is due to front court on Monday morning, charged with a string of assault offences, including four counts of rape, attempted rape, torture and deprivation of liberty.

Police will allege the 18-year-old dragged a 21-year-old Korean woman off Alpin Street in the Cairns central business district about 1am on July 15, taking her to nearby bushes, where he is alleged to have raped her.

Just an hour later, the same man is alleged to have pushed a 28-year-old Japanese tourist off her bike in the same street.

The teenager is accused of punching the woman in the head and face and attempting to rape her, however, her screams alerted a 29-year-old man walking nearby to the attack and he came to her aid.

The alleged rapist then fled the scene on foot, hiding in nearby mud flats on the Cairns Esplanade. He was apprehended by police a short time later.

Both women were taken to hospital, where they were treated for non life threatening injuries.

The man has been charged with a total of 15 offences stemming from the two attacks, including multiple counts of rape and assault, attempted rape, deprivation of liberty, torture, assault with intent to commit rape and robbery using personal violence.

He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday morning.