British tourist, 71, arrested and charged after 'assaulting gay man' on cruise to Australia

A 71-year-old British tourist has been charged with assault after allegedly attacking a gay man on a cruise to Australia.

The man was travelling from Dunedin, New Zealand to Sydney on board the Discovery Princess cruise liner at the time of the attack.

Witnesses said the incident took place on Tuesday, but the man was not arrested until Saturday, when the cruise ship docked.

Eyewitness and fellow passenger Shell Guchi said: “The assault took place while we were on board. We were not turned around.

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Ms Guchi added that the alleged victim was a younger gay man.

She told The Sun she hoped he "makes a full recovery".

Detective Acting Superintendent Trevor Robinson said safety on board cruise ships was important.

Mr Robinson said: “The repercussions of alleged criminal behaviour remain even when an offence occurs at sea.

“Where Australian law applies under the Crimes at Sea framework, the AFP will move swiftly to investigate incidents and bring alleged offenders before the courts.

“We work closely with cruise operators and maritime partners to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, and to make it clear unlawful behaviour on vessels connected to Australia will be addressed.”

The man was charged with one count of assault, occasioning bodily harm, which has a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.

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He will appear at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on February 18.

Last year, two Australian men were arrested for assaults on cruise ships in unrelated incidents - also in Sydney.

One man from Arncliffe, 24, was charged with one count of common assault.

Another man from Dover Heights, 50, was charged with one count of common assault and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 24-year-old allegedly assaulted a woman multiple times while on board.

The 50-year-old allegedly kicked a woman following an altercation.

And in the United States, crimes on cruise ships reached an almost two-year high in 2025.

From January to March last year, there were 48 crimes on cruise ships reported to the FBI, according to data from the US Department of Transport.

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