A Queensland man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault and abduction that occurred in Melbourne over 30 years ago. The arrest follows a re-opened investigation by Victorian Police into the incident from 1988.
Alleged Crime and Arrest
The 57 year old from Queensland was arrested following new evidence that led to the reopening of the case. Following his arrest, the man was transported to Melbourne, where he was formally charged with:
- Two counts of aggravated rape;
- Two counts of rape;
- Abduction by force;
- Kidnapping; and
- False imprisonment.
Police allege that the victim, who was 19 years old at the time, was walking along Carlisle Street in St Kilda following an evening out when she was forcibly taken. The accused is alleged to have driven the young woman to Elwood Beach, where she endured a series of violent assaults.
Despite an initial investigation in 1988, no charges were laid at that time. However, the case was reopened in 2021 when new information came to light. A Detective of the Victorian Sexual Crime Squad stated that police were committed to seeking justice for this “horrific” crime and that the arrest provided some closure for the victim.
The detective noted: “To be a 19 year old woman, happily walking home after a fun night out, who suddenly had her world changed instantly in this way, is unimaginable. Shocking crimes like this leave a permanent imprint … today we hope we have delivered some closure and relief,”
Upcoming Court Appearance
The accused, who would have been in his twenties at the time of the alleged offence, has been remanded in custody. He is set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court in January 2025.
Commitment to Historic Cases
Police’s persistence on this case demonstrates that Police do not forget allegations of serious sexual assault, even after many years. For victims of historic offences, cases like this provide hope that justice can eventually prevail.
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