’F**king pervert’ offered accommodation and work to backpackers and then propositioned them for sex

FOREIGN female backpackers say they were propositioned for sex by a ‘perverted’ Darwin businessman who had offered them work and a place to stay.

Pervert preys on backpackers

FOREIGN female backpackers say they were propositioned for sex by a Darwin businessman who had offered them work and a place to stay.

Posters were plastered across Darwin recently warning fellow travellers about the man, who it is claimed abandoned a young woman at Kakadu after she refused him sex.

Part of the flyer flyer posted around Darwin warning women of a man preying on backpackers. Picture: Supplied

Multiple backpackers spoke to the NT News about the local businessman, who has posted advertisements for work and accommodation through websites Gumtree and HelpX for at least three years.

A 24-year-old French woman who did not wish to be named posted the flyers after she worked and boarded with the man for two-and-a-half weeks before being propositioned.

“In the beginning it was good but then he said he wanted a massage and then sex,” she said.

“I said I don’t want to do massage, I don’t want to touch and I don’t want to have sex with him ... and after I said no he didn’t give me a job.”

Former backpacker and now Darwin resident Perrine Van De Plasse was not surprised to hear about the allegations, as she was in the same situation with the same man when she arrived in Darwin three years ago.

“He arrived in my bedroom at 2am and said if you don’t want sex with me you have to leave my house,” she said.

“He arrived in my bedroom at 2am and said if you don’t want sex with me you have to leave my house.” Picture: iStock

“I was sleeping and he came in an touched my arm. I pushed him and he fell on the floor.

“The girl after me sent me a message saying he arrived nude in her bedroom.

“He was a f**king pervert and he just wanted sex with all the girls.

“My English was so bad. It was too complicated for me (to go to the police).”

Both women had heard similar stories from other travellers about the same man. The unnamed woman said she attempted to make a complaint to police but was told there was nothing they could do as she was leaving the country. Police are investigating the incident.

Victims of Crime NT manager Mick Campbell urged travellers to remain cautious and report any criminal offences to police.

“Because (backpackers) come from different cultures and may not notice the subtle nuances that would hark concerns in others,” he said.

“Be constantly awareness of what happening and maintain a level of suspicion because you’re vulnerable.

“The police are there to help, even if language is a difficulty they have interpreters.

“The law applies to travellers as much as any one else.”

Police urge anyone with information to contact Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Victims of Crime NT can be contacted on 1800 672 242