Security guard on teen rape, torture charges took over victims’ bank accounts, police say
An investigation that resulted in a Sunshine Coast security guard being charged with rape, torture, strangulation and stalking was sparked by an online complaint, police say.
A security guard has been charged with a range of serious offences against four young women on the Sunshine Coast. (File image).
A 23-year-old man is facing 39 charges relating to alleged offences against four young females, and is due to face the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday.
“It’s a harrowing event for all of them. They’ve effectively felt they’ve had nowhere to go,” Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said on Friday.
The alleged victims are aged in their mid teens to early 20s, and the man is believed to have met two of them while on duty at Maroochydore Safe Night Precinct.
He is accused of rape, torture, strangulation, stalking, deprivation of liberty, extortion, hacking/misuse of a computer, burglary, and assault occasioning bodily harm.
Police will allege aspects of his behaviour involved coercive control, including taking over the young women’s social media and accessing bank accounts.
“They’ve been effectively terrified to come forward,” Det Sen Sgt Mansfield said.
Most of the offences are believed to have occurred in the past 12 months.
There is a historical aspect to one of the offences relating to a 15-year-old girl, police say.
Police are encouraging others who may have been offended against to come forward and to use the online reporting tool if they are unsure about how to proceed with sexual violence complaints.
“This investigation effectively commenced as a result of that online service being utilised,” Det Sen Sgt Mansfield said.
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