A 10-year-old boy has been arrested over the sexual assault of a 23-year-old Italian tourist in Cairns.
The woman was walking past the child in the city’s CBD at around 10am on Wednesday when he attacked her, police alleged.
“The lady requested police assistance and was attacked by a number of other youths at that time,” Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said.
Officers arrested the boy and three others.
A 10-year-old boy has been arrested over the sexual assault of a 23-year-old Italian tourist in Cairns (file photo)
The woman suffered bruises and scratches to her face, but did not have to go to the hospital.
“The young age of the perpetrators is abhorrent to me,” Det Insp Goan said.
“People have the right to have their way in our community (and) for that to happen would have been a traumatic experience for the young lady. This is a sad indictment that she will take away from her experience in Cairns.”