North Queensland taxi driver charged with rape, several other offences

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A North West Queensland taxi driver has been arrested and charged after allegedly using his taxi service to prey on and abuse women in an outback town.

Investigators charged the 56-year-old man from Mount Isa, 900 km west of Townsville, near Queensland's western border with a slew of separate offences including rape, choking, common assault, animal cruelty, and possessing child exploitation material.

He was also charged with one count of using a carriage service to menace and harass.

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"Detectives from the Mount Isa District Domestic Violence Unit have charged a man from North West Queensland with serious domestic violence and other offences following a protracted investigation into the exploitation of vulnerable females within the community," a police statement read.

"It will be alleged the man used his employment as a taxi driver to exploit a number of vulnerable female victims throughout the Mount Isa community."

The police investigation began October last year, after police received several reports of suspicious behaviour.

"I thank the community for the information provided, which assisted greatly in bringing about a successful resolution," Mount Isa District Acting Detective Inspector Sean Wade said.

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On January 5, detectives and officers from the district, alongside the Mount Isa Child Protection and Investigation unit executed a search warrant in a residential address.

It's alleged online evidence and several documents were seized.

"This arrest is the culmination of a months-long investigation and I would like to commend the investigators involved," Inspector Wade said.

"The blatant exploitation of the most vulnerable members of our community is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it."

The man is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court on March 14.

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Source: 9News