Bombshell twist after coward poured hot coffee on baby in Brisbane

Australians deserve to know the identity of a man suspected of throwing hot coffee over a baby and leaving him with life-long injuries, a criminal psychologist has said – amid fears the man responsible may now never be caught.

A 33-year-old Chinese national on a student visa has been identified as the suspect, but police have refused to release his name.

The man allegedly threw scalding hot coffee over nine-month-old Luka, who was picnicking with his mother in Hanlon Park, Brisbane, on August 27.

The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, torso and arms and underwent four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

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.

Chinese media reports indicated the man had entered and left Australia many times since 2019 – initially on 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, the man’s frustration reportedly erupted during the coffee attack, Chinese media report.

“Finally he cooled his anger and…” [allegedly] hurt a baby before leaving Australia,” China’s New Tang Dynasty Television reported.

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’.

Queensland police said although the suspect’s name has been reported in Chinese media, Australian police would not release it due to the risk of jeopardizing the investigation.

Dr. Tim Watson-Munro questions that approach.

“I think it’s a bit peculiar, they say it’s for operational reasons, but I don’t see how naming him would hurt a case,” he told Daily Mail Australia.

“There is an Australian public that wants answers.

“I hope there is some explanation beyond operational procedures. People want justice and closure and we have a right to know that because it is a case that has shocked many people.”

Dr. Watson-Munro said that given the suspect has no family in Australia, there was no risk of anyone going after his relatives.

‘Criminals in Australia are called that unless they know more than us. I think it’s quite unusual,” he explained.

“My opinion is that we have a right to know who he is, if he were responsible.”

The expert added that in addition to the obvious problem of the suspect being abroad if he had fled to China, there is another barrier in terms of communication and their own legal system.

Dr. Watson-Munro added that it could be a “long time” before police can extradite him to Australia, if that is even possible.

Former detective Dr Terry Goldsworthy also expressed doubt that naming the suspect would hamper the investigation.

“His picture is everywhere, so he knows the police know who he is and they are looking for him,” he told The Today Show.

‘There may have been reasons why the police didn’t want to make it public, but ultimately I don’t think it will harm the investigation.

“If his picture wasn’t there I would understand keeping it quiet, but his picture is everywhere so I don’t see it being a problem.”

Dr. Goldsworthy said something that could hinder the investigation was whether there was an extradition agreement between Australia and the country the suspect fled to.

“For example, we don’t have an extradition agreement with China, so if he is there it would be very difficult to get him back,” he said.

‘Depending on the country, there is always the possibility of an ad hoc arrangement, a one-off deal. Law enforcement could decide, “We don’t agree with what this person did, so we’re going to put him or her on a plane and send him or her back to Australia.”

‘A red alert will likely be issued by Interpol. If this person goes to a third country that recognizes these notices and takes action, they can detain him. That country may have an extradition treaty with us.”