- Dec 27, 2016
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The deckhands were so petrified some went overboard, swimming through shark and croc infested waters to reach the mainland.
Detectives from Cairns charged the Karumba man, 47, with 46 offences after an extensive investigation in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria.
It will be alleged the man assaulted, threatened, and withheld food and water from crew members aboard his vessels.
The man is charged with 18 counts of common assault, ten counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, 3 counts of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, 5 counts each of torture and slavery and 1 count of stealing.
He will face Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9.
The arrest brings an end to the Operation Victor Diabelli, launched by police in 2023 following reports a of the alleged assaults.
Queensland Police Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said it would be alleged the victims were forced to sleep on the open deck of the boat and were not paid wages.
He said some of the alleged complainants were so fearful for their lives they dived from the boats, swimming through crocodile and shark-infested waters to the mainland.
He's a huge man.
Detectives from Cairns charged the Karumba man, 47, with 46 offences after an extensive investigation in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria.
It will be alleged the man assaulted, threatened, and withheld food and water from crew members aboard his vessels.
The man is charged with 18 counts of common assault, ten counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, 3 counts of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, 5 counts each of torture and slavery and 1 count of stealing.
He will face Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9.
The arrest brings an end to the Operation Victor Diabelli, launched by police in 2023 following reports a of the alleged assaults.
Queensland Police Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said it would be alleged the victims were forced to sleep on the open deck of the boat and were not paid wages.
He said some of the alleged complainants were so fearful for their lives they dived from the boats, swimming through crocodile and shark-infested waters to the mainland.
He's a huge man.
