Astounding political correctness fail that may have allowed coward who scalded baby Luka with hot coffee at Hanlon Park to flee the country – as ex-top cop exposes the major questions surrounding the case

A veteran police officer has revealed how political correctness may have hampered the search for a man accused of throwing a thermos of hot coffee over a baby.

Nine-month-old Luka was enjoying a picnic with his mother and friends at Hanlon Park, in Brisbane’s south, on August 27 when a stranger walked by and poured hot coffee from a thermos over him.

Little Luka suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and has since undergone four operations at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

An urgent manhunt was launched and detectives revealed on Monday that the 33-year-old suspect had managed to flee abroad.

David Craig, a former Australian Federal Police detective, said on Tuesday that the initial description of the man did not mention his race.

His description was reported as “a person [with] “Tanning skin…” that doesn’t limit it that much, Craig told Channel 7’s Sunrise

‘He should have been a man of Asian appearance, just like we do with people of Caucasian appearance. In this case, it didn’t happen fast enough.

“These are not racial slurs. These are identifying terms.”

Detective Chief Inspector Craig described it as “nerve-wracking” how the man managed to evade authorities and flee the country despite his photo being posted online.

‘Klearly, this person had some experience in counter-surveillance. He knew what he was doing,” he told Channel Seven’s Sunrise.

‘He clearly wanted to avoid the electronic trails so he couldn’t be followed so easily.’

He said this at a time when Australians across the country are supporting the family with the help of kind donors who have raised more than $150,000.

“Sending you all the strength in the world and to your precious, beautiful baby… may he make a full recovery and receive the best possible treatment,” one person wrote.

“Just horrible and unbearable. I feel so sorry for this suffering. I hope the perpetrator is found,” added another.

The fundraiser was launched to raise money for the baby’s medical expenses, with organisers expressing their gratitude for all the support during such a ‘difficult and traumatic time’.

“We are overwhelmed by all the support, both the donations and the words of encouragement we have received from them,” the fundraiser said.

‘With this Go Fund Me we can support (the baby) with all of his ongoing care needs, which is truly a weight off our shoulders.

‘He is such a strong little boy and we are so proud of him.

The 33-year-old man accused of carrying out the attack was in NSW on August 28, the day after the Brisbane incident, and left Sydney Airport on August 31 using his own passport, just 12 hours before police confirmed his identity.

A warrant has now been issued for his arrest for causing grievous bodily harm, for which he could face a possible life sentence.

Mr Craig explained that it will be a “bit of a legal process” to get the suspect to Australia as quickly as possible, but he is confident that “the authorities will get him back here”.

“There should be a police operation underway at this time to locate that person through a mutual assistance request and the extradition request will be approved,” he said.

Detective Constable Paul Dalton, who described the incident as a “barbaric attack” with no clear motive, said the suspect was “aware of police methods” and was “carrying out counter-surveillance activities”.

“This is probably one of the most complex and at times frustrating investigations I have ever been involved in and led,” he said Monday.

Detective Dalton said the man was clearly “aware of what we (police) do to find people” and that police were hampered in their efforts by initially being given the wrong name.

“It wasn’t until September 1 that we were able to put the name of the face on the surveillance cameras,” he said.

“Even at that point, we probably didn’t have enough evidence to get a warrant.

“We have now been to New South Wales and Victoria to gather that information and the warrant has been granted.”

Detective Dalton said he knew which country the man had fled to, but he could not share that information while the investigation was ongoing.

He said the man had been in and out of Australia since 2019 and had behaved “legally” on each occasion.

“There are no adverse effects that we can find on him in Australia,” Detective Inspector Dalton said.

He said the man was in the country on a visa and had addresses “on the east coast” but not in Queensland.

The suspect was a ‘travelling’ worker in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and police had questioned a number of his former colleagues.

Detective Dalton called the attack the “most cowardly” he had seen in his career.

“A young mother and a baby are sitting on the ground and you approach them from behind,” he said.

“Can you think of anything more vulnerable than that? And taking advantage of it? You’re probably right, it’s one of the most disgusting I’ve come across.”

Detective Dalton promised he wouldn’t stop until the man was caught.

“I have 30 detectives working for me. They are devastated that they missed this person by 12 hours,” he said.

“I think the family would just be more upset about that.”

Detective Dalton encourages anyone with information to come forward.

“Now that this person has fled Australia, people may feel safer reporting to police,” he said.

“I encourage them to do that. There will be no judgment on you.”

The man is described as having a proportionate build with tanned skin. He was wearing a black hat, glasses, a shirt and shorts at the time of the attack.

Police tracked his movements after the attack to the southern Brisbane suburb of Tarragindi, where he changed clothes outside a church.

He then took a taxi to downtown Brisbane, where he drove to Caxton Street, where he disappeared until it was discovered that he had fled the country.