Two teenage boys have been charged and a third is in custody 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 each.
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.
The third teenager is yet to be charged but the other two are expected to face Cairns Children’s Court on Saturday.
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, reports the Courier Mail.
‘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.
At least two of the teenagers are understood to be assisting officers with their inquiries.
Investigators believe there are no further persons outstanding but their investigations remain ongoing.