Man shot by police in Cairns charged with rape, theft, assault, break-and-enter

The man shot by police after allegedly stealing a patrol car and threatening officers in Cairns has been charged with rape, among a long list of offences, police have confirmed. See the charge list.

The man shot by police after allegedly stealing a patrol car and threatening officers in Cairns has been charged with rape, among a long list of offences, police have confirmed.

The 21-year-old, now named as Wilson Nathaniel, is accused of throwing objects at a Mulgrave Rd, Worree business before smashing windows of a police car while armed with an iron bar and machete.

The man also allegedly drove a stolen patrol car to the corner of Sondrio and Torino where the marked police vehicle was boxed and the driver shot.

A man armed with a pole and machete has smashed the window of a car before driving off in a stolen patrol car on Wednesday, March 27. Picture: Supplied

The Manunda man was taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition on Wednesday where he was treated for a gunshot wound to the neck.

On Thursday he remained in hospital ahead of being released into police custody.

Following police investigations, the man was charged with four counts of rape, three counts each of assault with intent to commit rape, one count each of enter dwelling and commit, enter premises and commit indictable offence, enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, and attempted enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence in relation to the alleged incidents.

A man armed with a pole and machete has smashed the window of a car before driving off in a stolen patrol car. Picture: Supplied

Police declined to state how the police vehicle was stolen or how many times the man was shot.

Police officers forensically inspect a crime scene at the intersection of Sondrio and Torino Streets, Woree, where a 21 year old male was shot by police officers after stealing a police car. Picture: Brendan Radke

Offences relating to the alleged stolen car and pursuit include seven counts of serious assault police officer whilst armed with a weapon, four counts of wilful damage of police property, four counts each of threatening violence, serious assault police officer causing bodily harm whilst armed with a weapon and one count each of stealing, dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving of motor vehicle without a driver's licence, evasion offence, wilful damage and unlawful use of motor vehicle.

The man’s matter was heard in Cairns Magistrates Court on Thursday and was adjourned until April 5.

The shooting is being investigated by Ethical Standards Command with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

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Originally published as Man shot by police in Cairns charged with rape, theft, assault, break-and-enter