A British backpacker who was allegedly raped, beaten and held captive for more than a month in the Australian outback has been discharged from hospital.

The 22-year-old woman, who has not been identified, is recovering with family and friends after being treated for injuries including facial fractures, and awaiting return to the UK.

A man appeared in court on Monday on more than 20 charges, including four counts of rape, eight counts of assault, four of strangulation and two of deprivation of liberty. He is also facing drug charges. Under Queensland law, he cannot be identified until he is committed to trial.

Earlier police confirmed that the pair had briefly been in a relationship before the woman was allegedly held against her will and repeatedly attacked. Queensland police said it is believed that the alleged attacks took place between 3 February and 5 March, when the woman was rescued in Mitchell.

She prompted alarm when she stumbled dazed and badly bruised into a petrol station in the Australian outback.

After nodding when asked if the abuse was suffered at the hands of her partner, the tourist left without paying and was pursued by the owner, according to reports. Police were flagged down during the chase and officers pulled her over near Mitchell, finding her with injuries to her face and marks on her neck.

Police said officers found her alleged attacker in the boot of the car beneath a pile of clothing.

“I made the decision to follow her because I thought that if I could get the registration number I’d be able to file a report to the police,” shop owner Beverley Page told the Daily Mail. “She was in a state of shock when she came in, almost zombie-like.”

The victim told police she had been held captive by a man she had met at a party in Cairns and had been travelling around the state in the car since 2 January.

Insp Paul Hart, who is leading the investigation, said on Tuesday: “It was established they had previously had a relationship but at some point it had soured.” Hart alleged that the suspect “deprived her of her liberty and committed a number of offences against her as they travelled around the state”.

He added: “What she has experienced is no doubt horrific and terrifying and we commend her for taking the opportunity to speak to our police. We have potentially saved this young girl’s life. Given what’s happened to her, the extent of what’s happened over the period of time, anything might have transpired.”

The woman is believed to have been in the country since 2015.



