Alleged Blacks Beach stabber teen pleads guilty to attempted murder

Nearly two years after a young woman sunbathing on the beach was horrifically stabbed multiple times, a 17 year old has pleaded guilty to an upgraded charge of attempted murder.

Nearly two years after a young hairdresser sunbathing on the beach was horrifically stabbed multiple times, a 17 year old has plead guilty to an upgraded charge of attempted murder.

On September 13, 2021, Kaitlin Jones was sunbathing alone on a Mackay region beach when a stranger approached and stabbed her repeatedly in the head, neck, and body.

The young hairdresser spent a week in Mackay Base Hospital as a result of her injuries.

Nearly two years on from the shocking attack at Blacks Beach, the teenage assailant, who cannot be legally named, has pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted murder in Mackay Supreme Court.

The then 16-year-old boy was initially charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm, but Crown prosecutors upgraded the formal indictment in November 2022.

Crown prosecutor Tiffany Lawrence said Ms Jones was willing to provide a victim impact statement to share her terrifying experience with the court.

Stabbing victim Kaitlin Jones, 23, who was stabbed by a stranger multiple times in a horrific attack while she was sunbathing on Blacks Beach.

The court heard she was “understandably” unwilling to participate in her attacker’s sentence beyond her statement.

The teen had handed himself into police custody hours after the stabbing incident and was now nearly 18 years old, the court heard.

Ms Lawrence said at 17 years and 10 months, he was “effectively liable” for transfer from youth detention to an adult facility.

“It’s no secret, Your Honour, that the Crown will be contending for a penalty in the order of between four and six years of detention,” she said.

Blacks Beach (Mackay), 13 Sep 21, Stabbing on the beach at Blacks Beach. Blacks Beach. Photo: Daryl Wright

Ms Lawrence said if the court were persuaded to allow the teen parole after serving about half of that time, he would avoid transfer to adult prison after two years of presentence custody.

“The other matter is that there is going to be a contest … about whether or not the defendant desisted of his own volition,” she said.

“Which, of course, could have (a) significant impact on (the) penalty.”

Legal Aid Queensland barrister Kate McArthur requested the court order a “separation” report which would detail how many times the teen had been held in isolation during his custody.

Justice Graeme Crow granted her request and ordered the report.

The matter was adjourned for a mention on August 28 with a sentence scheduled for September 19.