A Sydney man who allegedly sexually assaulted an Australian woman in New Caledonia was arrested at his home today (4 February 2022).
The 37-year-old man from Liverpool was charged by members of the Australian Federal Police's Special Investigations Command as a result of an investigation launched in November 2018. He is scheduled to appear before Liverpool Local Court today.
Police will allege the man sexually assaulted the Australian woman while they were both in Noumea, New Caledonia, in 2015.
The man has been charged with intentionally causing serious harm to an Australian citizen or a resident of Australia, outside of Australia, contrary to section 115.3 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years' imprisonment.
AFP Commander Special Investigations, Stephen Nutt, said this matter demonstrates that it is possible for people who cause serious harm to Australians in overseas jurisdictions to be prosecuted in Australia, under Australian law.
"The AFP is committed to providing victims of serious harm committed overseas an avenue to access the justice system in unique circumstances," said Commander Nutt.
"Investigations involving acts committed offshore can be challenging, but the AFP is committed to investigating matters such as this and laying criminal charges where evidential requirements have been met."
