Chinese migrant’s workmates reveal the sickening reason why he allegedly attacked baby Luka with scalding hot coffee – as new details emerge about fugitive
A Chinese national suspected of pouring hot coffee on a baby in a park before fleeing the country was reportedly angry about having his visa rejected and had “brain problems” according to a colleague.
Nine-month-old Luka was having a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, south-east Brisbane, when the 33-year-old man approached them around midday on August 27, before pouring the thermos of boiling coffee over the toddler. and flee.
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, torso and arms and underwent four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
As local authorities try to track down the man – who flew out of the country 10 days later – new details have emerged about his time in Australia.
According to Chinese media reports, the man has entered and left Australia many times since 2019 – initially using a working holiday visa before later switching to a student visa.
During that time he lived in various places on the east coast of Australia and worked in a meat processing plant.
But when his latest visa application was rejected, Chinese media reported that the man’s frustration was unleashed by the coffee attack.
“Finally he cooled his anger and…” [allegedly] hurt a baby before leaving Australia,” China’s New Tang Dynasty Television reported.
Police released this photo last month of a man they want to speak to about the incident
The baby’s mother (pictured with her son) suffers panic attacks as a result of the attack
The man reportedly has “a brain problem,” according to a colleague who posted on a Chinese social media platform.
“On social media ‘Little Red Book’, a Chinese person in Australia who claimed to know him, broke the news on social media that this man has always been strange and difficult to deal with,” NTD Television added.
‘He has been working in a meat factory for a long time with a study permit. Later, the meat factory did not require a study permit.’
The TV station claimed the man was ‘probably’ [attacked Luka] to take revenge on the whites before running away’.
Police have issued an arrest warrant for the man for acts with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a life sentence.
The man drove to NSW a day after the alleged attack before leaving the country from Sydney on August 31.
The revelations come after Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Andrew Massingham told Radio 4BC on Thursday that the suspect’s name had been published in the Chinese media.
Police said the 33-year-old man had no family or criminal record in Australia and had worked in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
According to Chinese media, he was reportedly born in Hangzhou, China.
“Our international search continues for the person who committed this appalling crime… we are deeply committed to finding the person responsible,” Mr Massingham said.
“That child will have those injuries for life.”
Queensland Police Detective Paul Dalton said the man fled the country just 12 hours before police were finally able to identify him.
“I was in the research center when we put a name to the face and it was a very cheerful room, except within 15 minutes we were able to do a check and find out we’ve lost it,” he said.
‘I have thirty detectives working for me. They are devastated that they have missed this person for twelve hours.
“I was deflated, but that deflation quickly turned into determination and resilience to get the job done.”
Baby Luka is expected to suffer life-long injuries after the horrific act
Luka’s parents said their son was in good spirits, but it could take years for him to recover
The boy’s mother said it was a relief that the alleged attacker was no longer in Australia.
“I had no idea where this person was, I didn’t want to leave this hospital because it became our safe space,” she said.
‘When I got home I had panic attacks and still do.
‘I feel a sense of relief that he is not in this country, but I will always have fear and anxiety when I am out in public with my son – it has affected my mental health for the rest of my life.
‘I just want to know why, why he did this. These are questions that may always remain unanswered.’
Det Insp Dalton said he was still pondering a possible motive.
‘There aren’t many investigations where you don’t get a clear motive. It’s strange,” he said.
When asked what his message to the man would be, Detective Dalton said: “We’ll keep going until we find you – I haven’t lost that determination.”
A GoFundMe page for the child has raised more than $195,000 to date.
The parents said their son was in good spirits, but it would take years for him to recover.
Earlier on Thursday it emerged that Luka was free of bandages for the first time since the attack.
The mother of a boy who was doused in scalding hot coffee by a stranger and left with life-threatening injuries has reached a major milestone in his recovery
Just weeks after his first birthday, and for the first time since the horrific attack less than two months ago, little Luka is bandage-free
Once completely covered from his head to his torso, the brave toddler just smiled at the camera as his proud mother took to Instagram to give an update on his progress.
“The strength, bravery and courage you have shown over the past month is nothing short of amazing,” she said.
Several photos showed the baby boy happily walking around their home as his injuries appeared to have healed dramatically.