Officers from Mount Isa Child Protection and Investigation Unit closed Operation Xray Barani on Monday, May 19, which resulted in a man being charged with 40 historical child sex offences.
Police conducted the five-month operation to investigate alleged offences that occurred to seven children and two adults in Mackay and Mount Isa between 2002 and 2022.
A 56-year-old Karumba man was charged with multiple offences including 14 counts of rape, 13 counts of indecent treatment of a child, five counts of deprivation of liberty, three counts of common assault and one count each of stalking, grooming, sexual assault, enter dwelling and commit and attempted enter dwelling to commit.
The man appeared in Mount Isa Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody to re-appear today, May 21.
Mount Isa Child Protection and Investigation Unit Officer in Charge Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Shauna McIvor said police actively investigate all reports of sexual abuse, regardless of when the abuse occurred.
"I am proud of the job done by our dedicated team, who worked tirelessly with and for the victims in these matters.
"I also commend the victims-survivors for their significant bravery in coming forward and helping police hold the alleged perpetrator to account.
"Offences of this nature are reprehensible, and the Queensland Police Service is committed to pursuing all investigative avenues to protect victim-survivors and hold offenders to account, no matter how long it takes," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant McIvor said.
If you've experienced sexual assault, it is not your fault and you are not alone. There are multiple ways to report what has happened to you depending on your situation.
If there's an immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). You can also report online via: https://forms.police.qld.gov.au/launch/SexualAssault, over the phone or face to face at a police station.
There are also Alternative Reporting Options available depending on your situation.
For confidential information, counselling and support, call the State-wide Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 or 1800 RESPECT for 24-hour help.
