Brit, 71, is arrested for ‘homophobic assault’ of fellow tourist on cruise ship sailing to Australia
A British tourist has been arrested for allegedly attacking a gay man on a cruise ship bound for Australia.
The 71-year-old man was traveling from Dunedin, New Zealand, to Sydney on the Discovery Princess cruise ship at the time of the alleged attack.
Witnesses said the incident occurred last Tuesday but the man was not arrested after the ship docked in Sydney on Saturday.
Fellow passenger Shell Guchi, who witnessed the alleged attack, told The Sun: ‘The attack took place while we were on board. We were not turned away.
‘He deserves the maximum sentence for this brutal attack on an innocent gay man, following a verbal attack on him for being gay.
‘The young man left and the old bitch followed him and beat him savagely,’ he added.
The Briton has since been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, which carries a five-year prison sentence.
He will appear in court on February 18.
A British tourist has been arrested for allegedly attacking a gay man on a cruise ship bound for Australia. Image: Discovery Princess cruise ship where the alleged attack took place
Australian Federal Police Detective Acting Inspector Trevor Robinson said: ‘The repercussions of alleged criminal behavior continue even when a crime occurs at sea.
‘Where Australian law applies under the Crimes at Sea framework, the AFP will take swift action to investigate incidents and bring suspected offenders to court.’
He continued: ‘We are working closely with cruise operators and maritime partners to ensure the safety of passengers and crew and to make clear that illegal behavior on Australian-bound ships will be addressed.’
