Unexpected twist in baby scalded with hot coffee saga: Clue China could act over crime that appalled Australia

Australian authorities have hinted Chinese police may arrest a man accused of scalding a baby with hot coffee in Brisbane last year.

Nine-month-old Luke was in Hanlon Park with his mother in August when the man allegedly threw a thermos of hot coffee on the baby before fleeing. 

The incident, which police described as a ‘savage attack’ left Luka with serious injuries, requiring him to undergo repeat surgeries.  

Police said the alleged offender is believed to be in China where local police are cooperating with Australian authorities to bring him to justice. 

‘China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurs outside China,’ Australian Federal Police said in a joint statement with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) on Wednesday. 

‘The AFP and QPS continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues.’

It follows earlier revelations by the Weekend Australian the two countries had engaged in high-level discussions to ‘find a resolution to the matter’. 

The identity and whereabouts of the alleged offender is known to Chinese authorities.  

More to come.