Brisbane one-punch attack on Cole Miller: How police tracked suspects

FOLLOWING the sentence of Cole Miller's killer, we revisit how police used a combination of hi-tech security systems and old-fashioned detective work to track down his attackers within 12 hours of the one-punch assault.

ACCUSED one-punch killer Armstrong Renata told his flatmate “I hit a bloke – I’m in trouble” minutes before police arrived to arrest him, it will be alleged.

New details have emerged of how police tracked down Renata and his co-accused Daniel Maxwell in the hours after a fatally injured Cole Miller was rushed to hospital.

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Police used the extensive Brisbane City Safe camera network, nightclub ID scanners and a keen-eyed officer who took down a car registration number to track down the alleged offenders within 12 hours of the brutal attack.

Cole, a promising young water polo player, and his friend Nick Pace, were on their way to catch a taxi home from Fortitude Valley in the early hours of Sunday morning when they were allegedly confronted by Maxwell.

Maxwell, who had spent the night with friends at Hot Gossip nightclub celebrating his 21st birthday, is accused of saying “Do you want to see something funny?” before approaching Cole and Nick.

“Do you want to fight one-on-one?” he allegedly said.

Daniel Maxwell

Armstrong Renata

When they kept walking, Maxwell is alleged to have hit them both before Renata punched Cole in the side of the head with enough force to knock him out. He fell forward, hitting the pavement face-first.

Police will allege Maxwell and Renata – who were with two other friends – ran off towards the Chinatown carpark.

Nick called triple-0 and desperately tried to help his friend while a passer-by ran to the nearby Valley Police Beat to alert officers.

Police rushed to the scene and within minutes, Brisbane City Safe camera operators began a sweep of the area for a group of Islander men.

Police allege they spotted a white utility pull out of the Chinatown mall with four men of Islander appearance inside. Officers managed to get the car’s registration.

As Cole fought for life, police continued to sift through CCTV footage, tracking the group as they made their way through the Valley.

The group was allegedly spotted walking into Hot Gossip nightclub earlier in the night where they handed over their photo ID for scanning.

Police found Maxwell and Renata at their homes on Sunday afternoon. They will allege Renata said “I think I know what you’re here for” after coming to the door. Police claim he told his flatmate “I hit a bloke – I’m in trouble” just before they arrived.

It will be alleged Maxwell initially told police Cole had said “yes” after being asked if he wanted to fight “one on one”. But later, he agreed Cole had ignored him.

Police will also allege Renata claimed he only hit Cole because he believed Cole was about to strike Maxwell. But he allegedly went on to admit that the teen had his hands at his side and was not aggressive.

Yesterday, the pair appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court where their charges were upgraded to unlawful striking causing death, a new charge introduced by the former Newman government to target one-punch attacks.

Lawyer Michael Bosscher, for Maxwell, said his client was “deeply upset”.

“He feels nothing but the greatest sympathy for the family of the victim,” Mr Bosscher said. “He is only a young man himself. It was his (21st) birthday on the evening.”

A school friend described Maxwell as “quiet” and a “good student” and expressed surprise at the allegations. Maxwell has been living with his uncle and cousin in Tanah Merah and had been playing league for a local club.

Renata made no application for bail and will return to court on February 8. Maxwell’s matter will be heard on January 19.