An 80-year-old Sunshine Coast man has been arrested and charged with historical child sexual offences and detectives are now appealing for more information.
Police will allege the man was repeatedly offending against a child, known to him through involvement in a sport club, between 1993 and 1998.
Detectives attached to the Caboolture and Sunshine Coast Child Protection Investigation Units (CPIU) executed a search warrant at a Rosemount home on 15 November and subsequently arrested an 80-year-old Rosemount man.
He has been charged with 12 counts of indecent treatment of children under 12 – 16, and five unlawful intercourse offences.
He is due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 12 December.
Sunshine Coast CPIU Detective Senior Sergeant Kerri Della-Vedova is appealing for more information.
“We believe there may be further victims that have not yet come forward,” Detective Senior Sergeant Della-Vedova said.
“I’m grateful for the victim-survivor that came forward to report this abuse which had lead to 17 charges against the alleged offender.
“However, if anyone else relates to this offending or has more information, I encourage you speak to police.
“I’d like to reinforce to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse, even decades ago, that police will listen, we will investigate, while respecting your wishes, privacy, health and safety needs.
“Offences against children are a priority for my team and the wider Queensland Police Service and information from the community can assist us in resolving investigations into these deeply distressing crimes.
“I also reach out to those who may have not experienced sexual abuse personally, but know about offending against a child that has not yet been reported to police.
“Reporting of sexual offences to children is mandatory, and not doing so is a criminal offence.
“There are multiple ways to report what has happened to you depending on your situation.”
