AFP track down two New Zealand nationals on child sex charges
Two men accused of sexually abusing children overseas have been tracked down and arrested in Queensland, with some offending dating back more than 30 years.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Two men accused of sexually abusing children overseas have been tracked down and arrested in Queensland, with some offending dating back more than 30 years.
The men, both New Zealand nationals, were located this week in Brisbane and Townsville by Australian Federal Police’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST).
A 44-year-old found in Brisbane and wanted on 11 charges of sexual offending against a child in New Zealand in 2015.
His matter was mentioned in court on Wednesday and he has been extradited back to New Zealand.
The second man, a 64-year-old, was located in Townsville on Wednesday and wanted on 12 charges of sexual offences against two children and an adult in New Zealand between 1986 and 2003.
His matter was mentioned in Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday.
It was adjourned until October 6.
The FAST was established by the AFP in February 2021, and is a dedicated AFP transnational
capability focused on pursuing and arresting fugitives wanted in Australia or overseas
Since the inception of the FAST, 33 fugitives have been apprehended – 36 per cent of those arrested were wanted for child sex offences.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield said they were dedicated to protecting children at home, and offshore.
“The AFP is part of an extensive international law enforcement network effort to protect children and will help partners to track down anyone accused of causing them harm,” Ms Schofield said.
“Equally, those living offshore who have offended against Australian children should know the AFP is coming, and one by one we will work with our partners to bring you back to Australia to face our justice system.”
More Coverage
Originally published as AFP track down two New Zealand nationals on child sex charges
Call to move Games athletes’ village so Olympians can sleep
Forget about wild parties and cardboard beds. A submission to the 100-day review into 2032 Games infrastructure warns of a bigger threat.
‘Bare faced lie’: War of wars erupts over Council’s CCTV rollout
Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy has lashed out at Council after claims the security cameras in crime hotspots pledged in last year’s election campaign might not be installed for years.
Attempted murder not included in Qld’s new youth crime laws
Premier David Crisafulli has defended the absence of attempted murder as an offence under the state’s new ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws, rejecting claims Queenslanders are no safer than they were before.
$1.1m CCTV, police beat package to battle ‘anti-social behaviour’
A busy Sunshine Coast CBD will have a state-of-the art $1.1m CCTV system and permanent police beat before the end of 2025, the state government has pledged.
600k flock to Star attraction even as company on brink of collapse
Visitors are still flocking to the Queen’s Wharf Sky Deck in Brisbane, despite fears the gaming giant behind the facility is weeks away from collapse.
‘Urine fetish’: Health worker loses Blue Card bid after toilet recording
A Queensland health professional who hid his phone in the ceiling of a men’s toilet while at uni and recorded a student at the urinals has failed in his bid to work with children in this state.