Sunshine Coast police have charged a 21-year-old Caboolture South man with 28 sex and property offences after he allegedly spied on children in bathrooms at a Sunshine Coast campground and stole underwear from their tents.
Police first received a report in December 2024 that a man had allegedly been looking into bathrooms, occupied by children, during an event at a campground in Landsborough that week.
Further investigations identified the man had allegedly been looking into the bathrooms at the campground multiple times since 2022.
Investigations also found the man had allegedly entered tents and stole children’s underwear multiple times throughout 2023 to 2024 at the campground.
Police allege he used his volunteer position as a group leader to gain access to children.
It is alleged he committed numerous offences against children now aged between 13 to 16.
Child Protection Investigation Unit detectives executed a search warrant at a Caboolture home on May 5 and allegedly seized multiple electronic devices for forensic examination and multiple pairs of children’s underwear.
The Caboolture South man was arrested that day and charged with 17 counts of enter dwelling and commit, five counts of incident treatment of children under 16 (carer), five counts of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassing or abuse and one count of observations in breach of privacy.
He is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 16.
Officer in Charge of Sunshine Coast CPIU Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Grant Gleeson said police are urging anyone with further information or interactions of a similar nature to come forward.
“Due to the nature of the man’s alleged offending, and the access he had to children over many years, we are conscious there may be further victims that are yet to report incidents to police,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Gleeson said.
“We’re appealing to witnesses or anyone that could assist this investigation to come forward.
“And if you believe you have been offended against, I also encourage you to report your experience to police.
“It is not your fault and you are not alone, there are multiple reporting and support options available to you.
“We encourage parents and guardians to speak with their children about appropriate behaviour, even from people considered safe or trusted adults in their life, and what to do if they feel uncomfortable about any behaviour and how they can report that behaviour,” he said.
