Alleged child rapist tracked down at rural campsite

A man accused of grooming and raping a teenage girl over six years in Brisbane has been arrested at a rural Queensland campsite.

The now 46-year-old Warwick man was arrested at a campsite in Taroom on the Western Downs on Saturday.

He is accused of grooming, assaulting and raping the teenage girl, who was known to him, between 2013 and 2018.

The man was charged with a total of 18 offences, including nine counts of indecent treatment of children under 16 and seven counts of rape.

He is also facing one count each of grooming of child under 16 years with intent to procure engagement in a sexual act child under 12 years and one count of sexual assault.

Detective Senior Sergeant Derek Harris commended the bravery of the victim-survivor in coming forward.

“We acknowledge the immense courage it takes to come forward and report offences of this nature.” Harris said.

“Whether it is an incident that has just occurred, or one from several years ago, I want to reassure victim-survivors that police take all reports seriously and will investigate it to its full extent. You are not alone and support services are available.”

The 46-year-old was refused bail and scheduled to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday.