WARNING – DISTRESSING CONTENT: Nine-month-old baby Luka was left seriously injured when a stranger poured scalding hot coffee over him while he was having a picnic with his mum – leaving him needing eight surgeries
The mother of a baby who was left needing eight surgeries after a stranger poured scalding coffee on him has revealed the tragic extent of the tot’s injuries.
Nine-month old Luka suffered extensive injuries after a cruel thug poured piping hot coffee over him while he was having a picnic with his mum in Hanlon Park, Brisbane, on August 27 last year. The suspect, a 33-year-old male, is said to have returned to China immediately after the attack, where he is being protected from extradition back to Australia under Chinese law. Detailing the horrific extent of Luka’s injuries, his mum said in a social media post: “He’s received synthetic skin grafts, skin needling, and laser treatments for his burns.”
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The mum, who cannot be named, fumed it was “beyond unacceptable” the man had not faced any consequences, saying the experience has been “one of the hardest things to endure”.
She added: “Every procedure is a painful reminder of what was done to him – and of the justice that still hasn’t come. To those in positions of power: please don’t make it another year. Do not let this man escape accountability for hurting a child! Our legal systems and international relationships should protect victims and children, yet they have failed to do so.”
Queensland Police said detectives and Australian Federal Police are trying to secure justice for Luka and his family, while authorities have urged China to return the suspect so that he can be prosecuted – a request which has continuously been denied. According to Chinese law, Chinese nationals cannot be extradited for prosecution abroad for crimes allegedly committed overseas.
Michael Kennedy, a former NSW police detective who now works as a professor at the University of Western Sydney, said the decision lay with China and there wasn’t much Queensland Police could do.
“All the Queensland police can do in reality is take out an arrest warrant for this bloke, put him on the watch list for the airport and wait for him to come back,” he said. “China isn’t going to send him back here under any circumstances because they just don’t do that.”
The suspect, who has been featured multiple times in local media and is known to Chinese authorities, reportedly launched the attack after finding out a request to extend his visa in Australia was rejected. He had been living in Australia since 2019, where he worked in a warehouse and an abattoir at various points.
The Mirror has contacted Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.