A British backpacker who was repeatedly raped, bashed and choked during a two-month hostage ordeal in outback Queensland was saved after a routine traffic stop.
The 22-year-old woman had serious facial injuries and was extremely distressed when police pulled over a four-wheel drive on the Warrego Highway at Mitchell on Sunday afternoon.
It was immediately clear to officers that something was very wrong and they soon found her alleged attacker, also 22, hiding in a storage alcove in the back of the vehicle.
Police will allege the woman met the Cairns man three months ago and they agreed to go on a road trip. But it quickly turned into a violent nightmare.
The man, from the Cairns suburb of Manunda, has already faced a Roma court on charges including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault, four counts of strangulation, and two of deprivation of liberty.
He’s also facing drug charges. It’s alleged he held the woman against her will and assaulted her at various locations across Queensland between January 2 and March 5.
The woman has been treated for facial fractures, bruises and cuts to her body.
Her alleged attacker was remanded in custody after facing court on Monday.
A police investigation is continuing.
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