A third teenage boy has been charged after a woman was allegedly raped in her own home while her partner was held at knifepoint.
It is alleged the three boys broke into a Manunda home in Cairns and threatened a man and woman, in their 30s, with a knife around 3.30am on Friday.
Police allege the teenagers demanded property and then sexually assaulted the woman for between 10 and 15 minutes before fleeing on foot.
Officers from the Tactical Crime Squad and Dog Squad responded to the incident and arrested two teenagers on McCormack Street at about 4.30am.
The 15-year-old and 16-year-old boys have both been charged with eleven offences.
These include five counts of rape, two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, one count each of enter dwelling and commit and enter dwelling with intent by break at night whilst armed in company.
Another boy, also 15, was later arrested following a foot pursuit just after 5.45pm.
Dramatic footage of his arrest showed police officers tearing after him down a busy highway before pinning him to the ground on a traffic strip.
Officers are seen during the arrest of a 15-year-old boy in Manunda on Friday
The 15-year-old and 16-year-old were both charged with 11 offences each
Three teenagers allegedly broke into a couple’s home in Cairns demanding property before they sexually assaulted a woman while holding her partner at knifepoint at 3.30am Friday
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan (pictured) said it was one of the worst alleged offences he had come across in 38 years while working as a detective
He has now been charged with 13 offences, including five counts of rape and two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, one count each of enter dwelling and commit and enter dwelling with intent by break at night whilst armed in company, possessing dangerous drugs, and obstruct police officer.
He is due to appear in Innisfail Childrens Court on Saturday, the same day the two other teenage boys are due to face Cairns Children’s Court.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the alleged incident was ‘one of the most abhorrent acts’ he had been privy to in his 38 years as a detective.
‘The impacts of the offending will have a significant impact on two victims and our deepest sympathies go out to those two victims,’ Insp Goan said.
‘Whilst one male offender has held or detained the male occupant in the house, the two others have escorted the female occupant at knifepoint to an outside area where she has been sexually assaulted.
‘I can say this is horrific. For a young couple to be in bed, to have their home invaded by three intruders and for the male to be held at knifepoint while his partner is subject to sexual assaults while her assailants are also armed.’
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the alleged incident as ‘sickening and harrowing.’
Detectives do not believe the parties were known to each other prior to the alleged assault and investigations remain ongoing.
