19-05-2025
Police make chilling discovery in backpack of man who volunteers with children
Sunshine Coast Police searched the home of an Australian man who volunteered as a children's camp leader - and found children's clothing and underwear in a panda-shaped backpack
Police searching the home of a man who volunteers with children made a chilling discovery as they uncovered kids' underwear in a panda-shaped rucksack. The children's camp leader has since been charged with a string of sexual and property offences, as police say he looked into bathrooms, stole children's underwear and committed sexual offences against children at the camp he volunteered at.
The 21-year-old, who has not been named, allegedly used his role as a volunteer group leader to access the children and carry out offences against victims aged between 13 and 16. He has been arrested and charged with a total of 28 offences following an extensive investigation by police and child protection detectives.
Police first received a report about the man, from Caboolture South in Queensland, Australia, in December 24. They were told he had been seen allegedly looking into bathrooms being used by children at a campground in Landsborough.
As they investigated the claim, they found that the same man had allegedly carried out similar behaviour at the same campground multiple times since 2022. Police also uncovered allegations that he had unlawfully entered tents and stolen children's underwear numreous times throughout 2023 and 2024.
His home was searched on May 5 by police from the Sunshine Coast Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU), where they allegedly seized multiple electronic devices to be forensically examined. Several pairs of children's underwear were also said to have been found at the home.
The man was arrested that day and charged with 17 counts of enter dwelling and commit, five counts of indecent treatment of children under 16 (carer), five counts of unlawful stalking, intimidation, harassment or abuse, and one count of observations in breach of privacy.
The suspect is due to appear at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 16.
Queensland Police released body-worn camera footage of the search, showing the man appearing visibly distressed as he raises his hands to his face while officers read him his charges.
Another shot from the body-worn footage shows detectives searching a bedroom, where they come across a panda-shaped backpack full of clothes, including children's underwear.
Sunshine Coast CPIU Officer in Charge, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Grant Gleeson, urged anyone with information or who may have had similar encounters with the accused man to come forward.
He said: "Due to the nature of the man's alleged offending, and the access he had to children over many years, we are conscious there may be further victims that are yet to report incidents to police.
"We're appealing to witnesses or anyone that could assist this investigation to come forward. And if you believe you have been offended against, I also encourage you to report your experience to police.
"It is not your fault and you are not alone, there are multiple reporting and support options available to you. We encourage parents and guardians to speak with their children about appropriate behaviour, even from people considered safe or trusted adults in their life, and what to do if they feel uncomfortable about any behaviour and how they can report that behaviour."
