Three youths cleared over Jack Beasley’s stabbing on Gold Coast glitter strip

Three of the five youths charged over the fatal stabbing of teenager Jack Beasley, in the Gold Coast’s party precinct, have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The 17-year-old was stabbed in the chest on Surfers Paradise Boulevard in Surfers Paradise about 8.10pm on December 13, 2019, and died soon after in hospital.

Jack Beasley’s friends remembered him as “special” and “the funniest person we knew”.Credit: The Beasley Family

Five people were charged over Beasley’s death – four of those were juveniles at the time and cannot be named. Brisbane Times has chosen not to name the fifth defendant.

Defendants 1-3 faced a two-week judge-only trial in Brisbane Supreme Court in May. They were each charged with one count of manslaughter and two counts of grievous bodily harm.

On Thursday, Judge Soraya Ryan delivered her verdicts, finding the trio “not guilty” on all charges.

“This trial is all about whether any of the three defendants are to be held criminally responsible for the unexpected fatal knife violence of their companion,” she said.

Brett Beasley and his son Jack.

Outside court on Thursday, Jack Beasley’s father, Brett, was too emotional to speak at length, but said he was “absolutely gutted” by the judge’s decisions.

Defendants 4 and 5 have already pleaded guilty to their role in the fatal confrontation. They will be sentenced at a date yet to be set.

In April 2021, Queensland police began a year-long trial of metal-detector wands in the Gold Coast’s party precincts to target knife crime that has since been deemed a success.

Beasley’s parents, Brett and Belinda, publicly supported the trial. They also established the Jack Beasley Foundation - advocating for changes to youth laws, discouraging youths from carrying knives, and educating teenagers about the repercussions one act of violence can have.

During the trial, crown prosecutor Todd Fuller said the attackers chased Beasley and his friends from Surfers Paradise tram station.

“[Defendant 3] is at the back [of the group], he has pulled up his hoodie at this time and appears to be covering his face,” Fuller said.

“He later tells police that this was because he knew there was going to be a fight, and he didn’t want to get picked up on the cameras.”

Jack Beasley.Credit: Jack Beasley Foundation

The attackers caught up to Beasley’s group on Surfers Paradise Boulevard, outside Paradise Towers Apartments. Security cameras attached to Paradise Towers captured the stabbing.

The attackers asked Beasley’s group a series of questions – including if they wanted to go for a walk. One of Beasley’s group told the attackers to “leave them alone”.

“The interaction then escalated with [Defendant 4] reaching in and pushing Beasley. Beasley is then seen to take a cigarette from his mouth and flick it towards [Defendant 4],” Fuller said.

“[Defendant 5] can be seen touching towards his waistband, where the crown says the knife was.

“Then [Beasley’s friend] turns up and stands next to Beasley.

“The first interaction of violence is [Defendant 4] and [Defendant 2] going towards [Beasley’s friend] and they become involved in a scuffle.

“Beasley grabs [Defendant 4] and tries to pull him off. He [Beasley] and [Defendant 4] end up on the ground.

“[Beasley’s friend] is standing over [Defendant 2], at that stage, [Defendant 5] is seen to run over and stab [Beasley’s friend].

“Not long after that, Beasley gets to his feet and as he is standing up, [Defendant 5] comes towards him and stabs him with a single wound to the chest.”

Beasley’s friend was rushed to hospital, and survived his two stab wounds.