A 22-year-old British backpacker has been rescued after allegedly being raped, beaten and strangled over a two-month hostage ordeal in rural Queensland.
The young woman was discovered during a routine traffic stop on the Warrego Highway in Mitchell, 570km west of Brisbane, at around 5pm on Sunday afternoon.
Police noticed her serious facial injuries and obvious distress.
“It appears she was terrified and not able to hide that,” police said.
Upon searching the car, officers discovered her alleged attacker, also 22, hiding in a storage alcove in the back of the four-wheel-drive.
The area where the 22-year-old was discovered
The backpacker allegedly met the 22-year-old Cairns man three months ago when they agreed to go on a road trip together, but things quickly turned violent.
Between January 2nd and March 5th, police allege he held her against her will and assaulted her in various locations across Queensland.
The woman has been treated for facial fractures, bruises and cuts to her body.
The man, from the Cairns suburb of Manunda, has already faced multiple charges, including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault, four counts of strangulation, and two of deprivation of liberty.
He is also facing drug charges.
More on this story as it breaks.
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