A 78-year-old Queensland man who has been charged with indecent treatment of a child and one count of attempted rape said he was “ashamed at what happened”.
Police allege that a group of people were socialising at a park on Raymond Terrace in Deception Bay on February 15 when Colin Behan was seen at a toilet block with a girl who he allegedly sexually assaulted.
It’s alleged a witness intervened and the incident was reported to police.
The child and the man were not known to each other, but police allege they were both regular visitors to the park.
Behan was arrested the next day and charged with two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 and one count of attempted rape.
He was granted bail on the condition that he stay away from the park and the child.
“I’m just so ashamed at what happened,” he told 9News today in relation to the charge of indecent treatment.
“That is something I should never have done, I should never have touched her.
“I don’t know how to describe it, I don’t know what to say.”
Asked if he tried to rape the child, Behan said, “Definitely not.”
“How could I? I am incapable of that sort of thing,” he said.
“I wasn’t trying to do anything.”
Behan said he “hates paedophilia”.
“I hate it, and I always have all my life, and I’ve never had anything whatsoever to do with anyone like this before.”
When asked if he touched a child, Behan said “yes”.
“That’s what I can’t explain to myself,” he said.
Police said detectives believe there could be more alleged victims.
”As these alleged offences were committed in a public place, I’m urging anyone who has witnessed suspicious activity to contact police,” Detective Inspector Phil Hurst said.
“Remember that reporting sexual offences against children is mandatory, and not doing so is a criminal offence.
“Any child who may have had a similar experience is also urged to speak to their parents and report it to police – any victims will be listened to and supported.
“I thank the Redcliffe Child Protection and Investigation Unit for taking such swift action.”
Behan will face Redcliffe Magistrates Court on March 5.
