Arrests Made in Historical Child Abuse Case

In a significant development, investigators from Tully and Charters Towers Criminal Investigation Branch have charged two men as part of an inquiry into historical child sexual offences in Far North Queensland. The arrests follow a complaint lodged in May 2024 by a woman who alleged abuse by her foster carers in Tully between 1984 and 1989.

The investigation, named Operation Xray Joss, led to the arrest of a 53-year-old man on the Gold Coast on August 20, 2025, after a search warrant was executed at his residence. The man faces charges including five counts of indecent treatment of girls under sixteen and one count of attempting to abuse girls under ten. He is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on September 24.

Furthermore, detectives traveled to Western Australia, where they collaborated with local police to arrest a 77-year-old man from Bayswater. He has been charged with nine counts of indecent treatment of girls under sixteen and two counts of defilement of girls under twelve. His court appearance is set for October 9 in Tully Magistrates Court.

Detective Sergeant Stu Jones, in charge of Tully CIB, acknowledged the courage of the victim who came forward and urged others who may have experienced similar abuse to report their experiences. “We believe there may be other victims or witnesses yet to be identified,” he stated, emphasizing the commitment of the police to respect privacy and provide support to survivors.

The Queensland Police Service encourages anyone affected by sexual violence to reach out for support and report incidents through various channels, ensuring confidentiality and safety for those involved.