A 10-year-old boy has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of an Italian tourist at a far north Queensland holiday destination.
The 24-year-old woman was also reportedly attacked by a group of youths in the Cairns CBD when she tried to raise the alarm on Wednesday morning.
“It sounds like a very disturbing story,” Queensland Premier Steven Miles told reporters on Thursday.
“I understand that the police acted quickly and arrested the suspected perpetrator.”
Police said the woman was walking past the boy in central Cairns when he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
She called police before she was attacked by the 10-year-old, along with three other youths, police allege.
The woman suffered minor bruises and scratches to her head and face.
“Undoubtedly a traumatic experience for the young lady,” Detective Inspector Kevin Goan told reporters.
“The young age of the perpetrators is abhorrent. People have the right to go about their business in our community.”
Officers responded to a report of an assault at the corner of Lake and Shields Sts after 10 a.m., police said.
The boy was arrested along with three other youths “within minutes,” and all four were known to police.
The 10-year-old was charged with assault, common assault and assault causing bodily harm while in company.
Police said no one else had been charged, but the investigation continued.