A criminal psychologist has said Australians deserve to know the identity of a man suspected of throwing hot coffee over a baby, leaving him with lifelong injuries.
A 33-year-old Chinese national on a student visa has been identified as the suspect, but police have refused to release his name.
The man is believed to have thrown scalding hot coffee over nine-month-old Luka, who was on a picnic with his mother in Hanlon Park, in Brisbane, on August 27.
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face, upper body and arms and has undergone four operations in Queensland Children’s Hospital.
Police obtained a warrant for the man’s arrest for acts intending to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a life sentence as a maximum penalty.
The man drove to NSW a day after the alleged attack before flying out of the country from Sydney on August 31.
Chinese media reports revealed the man had entered and exited Australia many times since 2019 – initially using a working holiday visa before later switching to a student visa.
Throughout that time, he lived in various places on Australia’s east coast and worked in a meat processing plant.
But when his latest visa application was rejected, Chinese media has reported the man’s frustration allegedly erupted in the coffee attack.
A 33-year-old Chinese national on a student visa has been identified as the suspect, but police have refused to release his name
‘Finally, he vented his anger and [allegedly] hurt a baby before leaving Australia,’ reported China‘s New Tang Dynasty Television.
The man reportedly has ‘a brain problem’ according to a coworker who posted on a Chinese social media platform.
‘On the mainland social media ‘Little Red Book’, a Chinese person in Australia who claimed to know him, broke the news that this man has always been weird and difficult to deal with,’ added NTD Television.
‘He has been working in a meat factory with a study permit for a long time. Later, the meat factory did not require a study permit.’
The TV station alleged the man ‘probably [attacked Luka] to take revenge on the white people, before running away’.
Queensland Police said that while the suspect’s name has been reported in Chinese media, Australian police would not release it due to the risk of compromising the investigation.
Dr Tim Watson-Munro told Daily Mail Australia questioned that approach.
‘I think it’s a bit peculiar, they’re saying it’s for operational reasons but I don’t understand how naming him would prejudice any case,’ he said.
‘There’s an Australian public that wants answers.
‘I would hope that there’s some explanation beyond operational procedures. People want justice and closure and we’re entitled to know because it’s a case that’s shaken a lot of people.’
Dr Watson-Munro said given the fact the suspect has no family in Australia, there wasn’t a risk of anyone going after his relatives.
‘Criminals in Australia are named so unless they know more than we do I think it’s quite unusual,’ he said.
‘My view is we have a right to know who he is, if he is allegedly responsible.’
The expert added as well as the obvious difficulty in the suspect being overseas, if he was to have fled to China, there is another barrier in terms of communication and their own justice system.
Nine-month-old Luka had scalding hot coffee poured over him on August 27
Dr Watson-Munro added it could be a ‘long time’ before police are able to extradite him to Australia, if that’s even possible.
Former detective Dr Terry Goldsworthy also had doubts naming the suspect would hinder the investigation.
‘His photo is everywhere, so he knows the police are aware of who he is, and they’re looking for him,’ he told The Today Show.
‘There may have been reasons the police didn’t want it out there, but ultimately, I don’t think it’s going to hurt the investigation.
‘If his picture wasn’t out there, I’d understand keeping it quiet, but his picture is everywhere, so I don’t see it being an issue.’
Dr Goldsworthy said something that could impede the investigation was whether an extradition agreement was in place between Australia and the country the suspect has fled to.
‘For instance, we don’t have an extradition agreement with China, so if he’s there, it would be quite difficult to get him back,’ he said.
‘Depending on the country, there’s always a possibility of an ad hoc arrangement—just a one-off deal. Law enforcement might decide ”We don’t agree with what this person did, so we’re going to put them on a plane and send them back to Australia”.
‘A red notice will probably be issued by Interpol. If this person goes to a third-party country that recognizes those notices and takes action, they might detain him. That country may have an extradition treaty with us.’
The baby suffered life-threatening burns to his face , upper body and arms and has undergone four operations in Queensland Children’s Hospital
