By ASHLEY NICKEL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 03:25 GMT, 23 February 2025 | Updated: 03:28 GMT, 23 February 2025

Three teenagers charged over an alleged home invasion and gang rape were reportedly known to police.

It is alleged the three boys broke into a Manunda home in Cairns and threatened a man and woman, in their 30s, with a knife around 3.30am on Friday.

Police allege the teenagers demanded property before sexually assaulting the woman for between 10 and 15 minutes while holding a knife to her husband’s neck.

The group then allegedly fled the home on foot.

Officers from the Tactical Crime Squad and Dog Squad responded to the incident and arrested two teenagers on McCormack Street at about 4.30am.

The 15-year-old and 16-year-old boys were both charged with eleven offences. 

These include five counts of rape, two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, one count each of enter dwelling and commit and enter dwelling with intent by break at night whilst armed in company.

Another boy, also 15, was later arrested following a dramatic foot pursuit just after 5.45pm.

Three teenagers charged over an alleged home invasion and gang rape in Cairns were known to police (pictured, one of the arrests)

Shock and fear has reverberated through the community in the days following the alleged attack.

However, part of that terror was replaced with anger on Saturday when journalists were locked out of the Innisfail Magistrates Court.

Two of the boys, aged 15 and 16, were due to front the court but the locked doors reportedly prevented media from reporting on the hearing.

‘The Crisafulli government has been clear in its commitment to open up the Children’s Court so media can report to Queenslanders,’ Attorney-General Deb Frecklington told the Courier Mail.

‘We will continue to strengthen the laws as we promised.’

Magistrate Simon Young was reportedly surprised when no media attended the hearing but claimed no substantive details were heard. 

Dramatic footage of the third’s boy’s arrest, shared on Saturday, showed police officers tearing after him down a busy highway before pinning him to the ground on a traffic strip. 

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan (pictured) said it was one of the worst alleged offences he had come across in 38 years while working as a detective

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan (pictured) said it was one of the worst alleged offences he had come across in 38 years while working as a detective

He was charged with 13 offences, including five counts of rape and two counts each of armed robbery and deprivation of liberty, one count each of enter dwelling and commit and enter dwelling with intent by break at night whilst armed in company, possessing dangerous drugs, and obstruct police officer. 

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the alleged incident was ‘one of the most abhorrent acts’ he had been privy to in his 38 years as a detective. 

‘The impacts of the offending will have a significant impact on two victims and our deepest sympathies go out to those two victims,’ Insp Goan said. 

‘Whilst one male offender has held or detained the male occupant in the house, the two others have escorted the female occupant at knifepoint to an outside area where she has been sexually assaulted.

Journalists were locked out of court on Saturday while two of the boys' charges were heard (pictured, one of the arrests)

Journalists were locked out of court on Saturday while two of the boys’ charges were heard (pictured, one of the arrests)

‘I can say this is horrific. For a young couple to be in bed, to have their home invaded by three intruders and for the male to be held at knifepoint while his partner is subject to sexual assaults while her assailants are also armed.’

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the alleged incident as ‘sickening and harrowing.’ 

Detectives do not believe the parties were known to each other prior to the alleged assault.

But the teens allegedly involved were known to police the Courier Mail reported. 

The investigation into the alleged attack remains ongoing.

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Police reveal fresh details about teens accused of horrific home invasion and knifepoint gang rape in Cairns that has appalled Australia

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