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An Australian fisherman has been charged with almost two dozen additional offences together with slavery and torture in opposition to deckhands on his boats.
The 47-year-old had already been charged with 46 offences in January after police launched a year-long investigation in far north Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria.
The person is accused of threatening and assaulting “quite a few” younger deckhands together with women and men aboard his fishing vessels.
He’s additionally alleged to have withheld meals and water from crew members.
Detective Performing Inspector Jason Chetham in January mentioned a few of these deckhands had wages withheld and had been pressured to sleep on the open deck.
Some had been so scared they dived into shark and crocodile-inhabited waters to hunt security, Det Insp Chetham additionally mentioned.
The Karumba man has now been charged with 23 extra offences together with widespread assault, assault occasioning bodily hurt, torture and slavery.
The entire 69 fees relate to offences between 2020 and 2023.
He was remanded in custody to face Cairns Magistrates Courtroom on April 5.
Police mentioned they’re persevering with to attraction for “witnesses and victims” to return ahead.
“Cairns detectives have counseled the bravery of those that have already spoken up and reported to police,” police mentioned in a press release.
The investigation continues.
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