Quang Khai Tran, Ellen Grove, sentenced for Ipswich meatworks boning knife attack on co-worker

A young meatworker “forget” he still held a boning knife in his hand when he unleashed his fury on a co-worker – slicing tendons in the process.

Meatworker Quang Khai Tran fronted Ipswich District Court after punching his co-worker – and forgetting he still had a knife in his hand. Picture: Nicola McNamara

A young meatworker offered up the entirety of his savings to repay his co-worker, after attacking him with far more force than he originally intended.

Ellen Grove resident Quang Khai Tran, 28, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on March 17, 2023, to grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding.

The court heard both charges were related to the same incident on September 2, 2021, when Tran was working at a meatworks in Wulkuraka.

Judge Ken Barlow said Tran and his co-worker worked as boners and carried knives as part of their work.

He said the two got into a “loud argument” on September 2 – in which Tran “forgot” he was still holding a knife in his right hand.

The court heard Tran had used his left hand to punch the co-worker in the face and then used his right hand, in which he was holding the knife, to punch him in the chest.

Judge Barlow said Tran then attempted to punch him again in the stomach with his right hand, and the co-worker put his hand out to deflect the blow.

The victim suffered a small laceration to his chest from the earlier blow, along with serious lacerations to his hand and wrist.

Judge Barlow said the knife severed two tendons in the man’s wrist and penetrated the base of his little finger.

He said the man needed surgery to repair the tendons and that the injury continued to affect him.

The co-worker’s victim impact statement revealed how he found it difficult to find employment because the injury was to his right dominant hand.

It explained he often felt depressed, had difficulty sleeping, and suffered a general loss of confidence as a result of the attack.

Quang Khai Tran (right) outside Ipswich Courthouse on March 17, 2023. Picture: Nicola McNamara

Judge Barlow told Tran “I accept and the Crown accepts that you did not intend to cut him with your knife”.

“You seem to have forgotten in the middle of your argument that you were holding that knife.”

“However, it is entirely unacceptable to allow an argument to progress to physical violence.”

He noted Tran had been fired as a result of his offending, but had worked in casual roles since and saved $4000, which he now offered in its entirety as restitution for the victim.

The court heard Tran lived with his parents still and assisted them with bills, and that he now intended to pursue automotive mechanics.

Tran had also written a letter of apology, in which he explained he understood that even though he had been upset, it was no excuse for what he did.

Tran was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended immediately for two years.

He was further ordered to pay the full $4000 in restitution to the victim within the next 14 days.