A 71-year-old British tourist has been arrested in Australia after allegedly assaulting a gay passenger during a two-week cruise around New Zealand.
The man was taken into custody by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) after the cruise ship Discovery Princess docked in Sydney Harbour on January 31.
Police said the alleged incident occurred several days earlier while the vessel was at sea, but charges were laid once the ship returned to Australian jurisdiction.
For privacy reasons, authorities have not disclosed the victim’s nationality.
Alleged Verbal Abuse Before Violence
The Discovery Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, had departed Dunedin on January 27, travelling through Milford Sound before returning to Sydney as part of a 14-day New Zealand voyage.
Passenger Shell Guchi alleged that the victim was subjected to verbal abuse about his sexuality by the British man earlier in the evening, which later escalated into physical violence around midnight.
“He deserves the maximum penalty for this savagely brutal attack on an innocent gay man, after a verbal attack about him being gay,” Guchi said.
“The younger man left and the old b****** followed him and savagely beat him.”
Guchi further alleged that the victim was left bleeding, with blood reportedly spattered across the carpet and chairs inside the ship.
“I do hope the innocent victim makes a full recovery,” she said.
Charged Upon Arrival in Sydney
The accused was removed from the ship by AFP officers upon arrival in Sydney and charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.
AFP Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said Australian law can apply to offences committed at sea under the Crimes at Sea framework.
“Where Australian law applies under the Crimes at Sea framework, the AFP will move swiftly to investigate incidents and bring alleged offenders before the courts,” Robinson said.
“We work closely with cruise operators and maritime partners to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, and to make it clear unlawful behaviour on vessels connected to Australia will be addressed.”
The accused man is due to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court next week.
