7-year-old girl allegedly raped by 14-year-old boy while using toilet in beachside shopping centre.

Warning: This item deals with sexual assault and may be distressing for some readers. 

A teenager has allegedly raped a seven-year old girl when she went to toilet in shopping centre while at a beachside plaza on the NSW Coffs Harbour coast.

A 14-year old boy will face court today after the allegedly sexual assault of the seven-year old girl. It is understood to have taken place when she went into a centre toilet.

The 14-year old was detained by a member of the public in a car park of a shopping centre at Moonee Beach, near Coffs Harbour in New South Wales while they waited for police to arrive.

It is alleged he raped the girl when she went to the toilet at the popular beachside shopping centre. It is reported that they did not know each other.

The Coffs Coast Advocate reports that detectives conducted inquiries at the scene before taking the boy to the Coffs Harbour Police Station.

The teenager was charged with sexual intercourse with a child under 10, and two counts of indecent assault of a child under 16.

Shocked locals have expressed their fears over both the age of the alleged rapist and the fact this could happen in an area they previously felt was safe.

Seven News reports that the incident occurred about 4pm on Wednesday afternoon.

It is not known whether the girl was a local or a holidaymaker.

He was refused bail and is expected to face a children’s court today.

For help: Lifeline 13 11 14. Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800. DV and Sexual Abuse hotline 27/4: 1800 737 732