A western Sydney man faced Downing Centre Local Court today (31 March 2023) after allegedly assaulting a woman on board a cruise ship.
AFP officers were called to the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney on Sunday (26 March 2023) following reports of an incident between two passengers while the ship was returning to Australia from New Zealand.
AFP officers questioned the man, 39, after he allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted the woman.
He was taken to Day Street Police station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to section 26 of the Crimes Act 1900 (ACT), by virtue of section 4A(1) of the Jervis Bay Territory Acceptance Act 1915 (Cth), by virtue of section 6.2(a) of the Crimes at Sea Act 2000 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for this offence is five years' imprisonment.
Detective Superintendent Kristie Cressy said the AFP would not tolerate illegal behaviour in any setting in which the AFP has jurisdiction.
"People are bound by Australian law when travelling via sea on a ship bound for Australia, and the AFP will take action against those who have committed a criminal offence," Detective Superintendent Cressy said.
