Police arrest third teen in ‘abhorrent’ home invasion rape at knifepoint

A woman was allegedly raped after teenagers broke into a Cairns home, holding her and her partner at knifepoint, in what police describe as an abhorrent and horrific attack.

Three teenagers have now each been charged with five counts of rape after they were arrested for the incident, in which the couple in their 30s were allegedly woken in bed to the intruders in their home.

“With over 38 years of policing experience, this to me, has been one of the most abhorrent acts committed during a break and enter that I’ve been privy to as a detective happening here in Cairns,” Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said.

“The impacts of the offending will have a significant impact on two victims and our deepest sympathies go out to those two victims.”

Goan said the teenagers allegedly broke into the home about 3.30am in Manunda, Cairns, on Friday, before holding the couple at knifepoint.

Goan said while one teenager held the man at knifepoint, two other teenagers took the woman to an outside area, where she was sexually assaulted.

“This is horrific for a young couple to be in bed, to have their home invaded by three intruders, and for the male to be held at knifepoint while his partner is subject to sexual assaults, while her assailants are also armed,” Goan said.

How the group allegedly entered the property remained under investigation, but Goan said the trio entered the property with the intent to commit indictable offences, and were equally culpable.

He said the group were in the home for about 10 to 15 minutes, and within an hour of them entering the property, police were able to take two teenagers into custody.