Blacks Beach stabbing: Media blocked from hearing teen’s case
A teenage boy charged over a random stabbing attack on a sunbathing woman in Mackay has had his matter mentioned in court.
Police & Courts
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A teen boy charged over a random stabbing attack on a sunbathing woman at Mackay’s Blacks Beach has had his matter mentioned in court as media were blocked from hearing the case.
Media applied to be present for the first mention of the case against the 16-year-old, citing the significant public interest in the matter.
Police allege the teen approached young hairdresser Kaitlin Jones as she was sunbathing alone on the beach.
Police further allege the teen stabbed her multiple times in the head, neck and body with a knife before fleeing the scene.
Ms Jones, 23, managed to get to a nearby building site where she sought help from workers.
She was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries where she remains in a stable condition.
About 12 hours after the alleged attack about noon on Monday, police confirmed a 16 year old, who had been taken into custody that afternoon, had been charged with malicious act with intent and would appear in Mackay Childrens Court.
Media representatives applied to be present for the case.
Under law, the childrens court at this level is closed but there is a discretion to allow media to be present if the magistrate is of the opinion it would not be prejudicial to the interests of the child.
However, any report cannot include any identifying information about the accused child.
This publication submitted there was considerable public interest in relation to community safety and this outweighed any potential prejudice.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer determined the application did not meet the test in that any reporting would not be prejudicial to the interests of the child.
Mr Dwyer highlighted that although it was a serious charge there was no evidence in the court of the allegations and the teen still had the presumption of innocence.
A charge of this nature must be finalised in the higher court, which for a juvenile is the Childrens Court of Queensland and is an open court.
Media was denied access and it is understood the case has been adjourned to a later date.
Comfort Resort Blue Pacific Nick Uit den Bogaard said the “freak incident” happened less than a kilometre from his beachfront resort.
“Nothing like this has ever happened before in the 21 years we’ve been here,” he said.
“When I look at how many people walk on that beach every morning and we’ve never had any issues, it’s just unfortunate and I hope it never happens again.
“We can all sit here and second guess and speculate but we don’t know anything about the (accused teenager).”
Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm weighed in on the horrific incident, stating “all acts of violence will not be tolerated in any form in our community”.
“Our Blacks Beach community is in shock and as a local Blacks Beach resident myself, I understand the community’s dismay and concern,” Ms Camm, who’s electorate covers the area, said.
“At this time, please check in with your neighbours.
“Our thoughts are with the young woman receiving care at Mackay Base Hospital and we thank staff.”
Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said it was “a truly shocking incident”.
“Thank you to those on the nearby construction site who helped respond to the victim and the first responders including the ambulance and police officers for their swift action,” Ms Gilbert said.
“My thoughts are with this young woman as she recovers.”
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