Alleged attacker on Gold Coast holiday blamed big waves for attacking eight women

HE’S accused of attacking eight women at the beach in just 30 minutes in broad daylight. And his reason is mind-blowing.

Volunteer Surf Life Savers looking over swimmers enjoying the sun and ocean at Surfers Paradise Beach on a hot Boxing Day. Picture: Jerad Williams

A TOURIST who allegedly sexually assaulted at least eight women in the water at Surfers Paradise beach during broad daylight has blamed rough surf for his behaviour.

The Geelong man, who was born in Pakistan, allegedly attempted to touch two females through their bikini bottoms and sexually assaulted another six.

Five of the women were 15-years-old while the other three were between 16 and 24.

Police understand there were three separate parties involved in the attack.

The incident took place in the flagged area on Monday at peak time between 12.10pm and 12.40pm.

Police are appealing for more victims and witnesses who could assist with their ongoing investigation.

“The women are OK,” detective acting inspector Greg Aubort said.

Acting Detective Inspector Greg Aubort from Child Protection Investigation Unit speaks to media about attempted rape on Surfers Paradise Beach. Picture: Adam Head

“It was a brazen attack, particularly given the age of some of the victims.

“They’re young and vulnerable.”

Gold Coast chief lifeguard Warren Young said two distressed girls emerged from the water and notified lifeguards of the attack, which happened in packed waters on the most popular beach on the Coast.

The Surfers Paradise sign at the end of Cavill Ave.

Mr Young said it would be impossible for lifeguards to see such acts.

“People would have to tell you if something like this happened,” he said.

“There’s no way of seeing exactly what’s going on under the water with something like this.

“It doesn’t happen very often at all and lifeguard’s did the right thing by calling police.

“It’s just not tolerated, you can’t do that anywhere in the country.”

The 18-year-old appeared in Southport Magistrates Court yesterday morning charged with two counts of attempted rape, seven counts of sexual assault and four counts of common assault.

Duty lawyer Mollie Roper said her client had come to Australia from Pakistan years ago and was visiting a family friend on the Gold Coast.

Ms Roper said he denied the allegations and she suggested the eight victims may have spoken together before reporting the incident to police.

“It alleges that in some instances, one alleged victim reported it to a friend who also reported they were assaulted in the same manner,” she said.

“There could be some weight to the fact that perhaps all eight victims were known to each other.

“There’s no suggestion that there are statements taken from any independent witnesses at this stage.”

The teenager, who holds a permanent residency visa, has no prior criminal history.

Magistrate John Costanzo said he considered the crown case to be “very strong” in relation to the “brazen and repeated sexual assaults” and said there would have been very little opportunity for collusion by the victims.

Mr Costanzo said the teen claimed he contacted the women due to heavy surf and wind conditions.

“The Crown no doubt will argue that is the most inconvenient conspiracy of circumstances in history,” he said.

He refused bail and adjourned the case until February 11.

Originally published as Alleged attacker on Gold Coast holiday blamed big waves for attacking eight women