A 78-year-old man charged with indecent treatment of a child and attempted rape has broken his silence.
Police were called to a park on Raymond Terrace in Deception Bay, in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on February 15 following reports a girl under the age of 12 was allegedly sexually assaulted.
Detectives allege a group of people were socialising at the park when 78-year-old Colin Behan was seen at a toilet block on his mobility scooter with a young girl and allegedly sexually assaulted her.
It’s alleged a witness intervened, and the incident was reported to police.
Police believe the victim and Behan are not directly known to each other but regularly visited the same park.
Behan was arrested the next day and charged with two counts of indecent treatment of a child under 12 years and one count of attempted rape.
He is set to face Redcliffe Magistrates Court on March 5 and was granted bail on the condition he stay away from the park and his alleged victim.
Behan vehemently denied he tried to rape the child when confronted by 9News and claimed he was ‘incapable of that sort of thing’, but admitted he touched the child.
‘I’m just so ashamed at what happened. That is something I should never have done, I should never have touched her. She’s the one that came to me, I didn’t go to her.’
‘I don’t know how to describe it, I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t trying to do anything.’
The 78-year-old added 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.’
Detective Inspector Phil Hurst said police believe there may be more victims and urged them to speak to their parents and report.
‘As these alleged offences were committed in a public place, I’m urging anyone who has witnessed suspicious activity to contact police,’ Detective Inspector 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 repot it to police – any victims will be listened to and supported.’
Detective Inspector Hurst praised the Redcliffe Child Protection and Investigation Unit for their swift action.
If you’ve experienced sexual assault, it is not your fault and you are not alone. There are multiple ways to report what has happened to you depending on your situation.
If there’s an immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). You can also report online, over the phone or face to face at a police station.
For confidential information, counselling and support, call the State-wide Sexual Assault Helpline on 1800 010 120 or 1800 RESPECT for 24-hour help.