North Queensland mayor behind bars, charged with domestic assault
A Queensland mayor is in custody after being charged with multiple domestic violence offences.
Jailed North Queensland major Wayne Butcher remains behind bars over alleged domestic assault. (Photo: ABC)
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne William Butcher was arrested following an alleged assault at a Lockhart River property, in the state’s Cape York Peninsula, on Friday.
Police said the 53-year-old was taken into custody on Saturday and charged with six domestic violence offences.
The charges include one count of deprivation of liberty, two counts of choking, suffocation or strangulation, one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts of common assault.
Mr Butcher’s matter was in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday and he was remanded in custody.
He is set to appear in court again on Thursday.
Queensland’s Local Government Department confirmed it was aware of the allegations against Mr Butcher.
“The department is providing support and advice to the council and will make an assessment about next steps in due course,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Mr Butcher has been Lockhart River mayor since 2012.
Lockhart River is a remote Aboriginal community in Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula with a population of 640 people.
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