Queensland Police Service said the 10-year-old was charged with sexual assault, common assault, and assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.

A 10-year-old boy has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of an Italian tourist in a far north Queensland holiday hotspot.

The 24-year-old woman was also allegedly attacked by a group of juveniles in the Cairns central business district when she tried to raise the alarm on Wednesday morning.

Queensland police will allege that the Manoora boy assaulted the tourist on the corner of Lake Street and Shields Street about 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the international tourist was “going about her business” when she walked past the 10-year-old male child and was allegedly sexually assaulted.

She called the police before being set upon by the 10-year-old, along with three other juveniles, police allege.

“The lady has called for police assistance, and at that time, she was set upon by a number of other juveniles,” he said. “She has sustained minor bruising and scratches to her head and face. No doubt a traumatic experience for the young lady.”

Queensland premier Steven Miles told reporters on Thursday that the incident “does sound like a very disturbing story”.

“I understand the police have acted swiftly and apprehended the alleged offender,” he said.

Goan said the alleged perpetrator was arrested “within minutes”.

“That is a result of the work that is done by uniformed police in conjunction with the CitySafe camera operators who were able to trace the movements,” the detective inspector said.

“No doubt a traumatic experience for the young lady,” Goan also told reporters.

One of his female associates was also apprehended but has also been engaged with restorative justice and released.

Goan said police are still searching for another three youths believed to be involved in the attack.

“There are a couple of other young people we would like to speak to, their identities are known to the Child Protection Unit,” he said, noting that the young age of the offenders was a concern.

“The young age of the [alleged] offenders is abhorrent. People are entitled to go about their business in our community,” Goan said.

“It’s not very common at all, I can’t think of another instance where a young boy has committed this type of offence,” he added. 

Queensland Police Service said the 10-year-old was charged with sexual assault, common assault, and assault occasioning bodily harm while in company.

Police said no one else had been charged, but the investigation was ongoing.