Cairns teens charged with horrific rock attack on five-year-old boy
Detectives have charged four teens accused of throwing tennis ball-sized rocks at the head of a five-year-old boy, fracturing his skull, while he was a passenger on a Kuranda train.
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Detectives have charged four teens accused of throwing tennis ball-sized rocks at the head of a five-year-old boy, fracturing his skull, while he was a passenger on a Kuranda train.
Police launched a priority grievous bodily harm investigation on Saturday, October 19 in response to the boy being seriously injured by a large rock thrown through the open window of the tourist train.
The train was passing through a level crossing near the intersection of James and Law streets at the time of the incident.
The child suffered a fractured skull after being hit in the forehead and was initially taken to Cairns Hospital for treatment.
Visiting Cairns from Japan the boy was rushed to the Townsville University Hospital on October 20.
He has since been discharged.
Four juveniles have since been charged.
The latest arrests come after a 14-year-old boy, who was already on bail for similar offences, was denied release from police custody on Tuesday.
Opposing the bail application, police prosecutor Rosalie Veltjens confirmed the teenager was already on bail for nine other charges including, common assault, enter premises, and wilful damage by graffiti.
Ms Veltjens also highlighted to the Cairns Childrens Court a similar allegation which involved the boy using a slingshot to target cars with stones, which resulted in a common assault charge.
The revelation was met with widespread condemnation with Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch among those who expressed their outrage.
“What a disgrace,” he said.
“It’s clear as day to me, the current approach dealing with youth offenders in this state is not working, and it is causing reputable damage to our region.
“Youth crime has become far too common for Cairns residents, and this incident has now garnered national and international headlines.
“The result of this is higher insurance premiums, poor headlines affecting our tourism industry and dangerous streets where locals feel unsafe.”
Two 14-year-old boys were arrested on October 21, another two 14-year-old boys were arrested on October 23.
All four have been charged with one count of endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent.
The 14-year-old Cairns North boy was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Cairns Childrens Court on November 5.
The 14-year-old Mooroobool boy is expected to reappear in the Cairns Childrens Court on November 28 after he was granted bail.
The other 14-year-old Cairns North boy and 14-year-old Earlville boy were remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court today, October 24.
Both also had their applications for bail approved.
Investigations are ongoing and police have thanked the public and the media for their assistance.
EARLIER
Police have charged a Cairns teen accused of throwing a tennis ball-sized rock that flew through the window of the Kuranda train and fractured the skull of a five-year-old boy.
The breakthrough in the investigation came on Monday after the boy from Japan was hit in the forehead on Saturday afternoon and flown to Townsville University Hospital for specialist treatment later that night.
Police stated a 14-year-old Cairns North boy had been charged with endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent following the incident near the intersection of James and Law streets, Cairns North.
The alleged assailant is co-operating with investigating officers.
Three other juveniles accused of throwing large rocks through the open windows of the Kuranda Scenic Railway carriage remain at large as police renew an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Detective inspector Cindy Searle couldn’t say whether all four children alleged to be involved were throwing rocks at the passing train.
“I can say that we believe that multiple people were throwing rocks, but whether we can say all four, I don’t have that specific information,” she said.
“The investigations identified the people that were in the area and … police were able to ascertain the identity of the person that has been arrested.”
The attack on the Japanese family, including an uninjured sibling of the five-year-old who witnessed the horrific incident, has been met with widespread outrage, which Detective Inspector Searle said was justified.
“I can understand completely the public outrage in relation to any person who goes anywhere on a holiday expecting that they can safely undertake holiday tourist activities, so that’s a perfectly understandable response,” she said.
“It is quite concerning that a child has been injured in this fashion, this is an unusual type of crime for a safety message for people what they might be able to do realistically, there’s not really anything that you can do.”
Detective Inspector Searle declined to comment further on the boy’s arrest.
The family are understood to be supported by the Japanese Consulate General which has an office on Lake St, Cairns City.
The accused has been remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on October 22.
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Originally published as Cairns teens charged with horrific rock attack on five-year-old boy
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