Blacks Beach stabbing: Teen accused remanded in custody

The teen police allege attacked Kaitlin Jones while she was sunbathing alone on a Mackay beach has fronted court as media tried to gain access for a second time.

A teenager charged over the stabbing attack on a young hairdresser as she lay sunbathing on Blacks Beach has been remanded in custody.

The case against the 16 year old was mentioned in Mackay Childrens Court for the second time on Friday when this publication again applied to be present to report on the proceedings.

A fundraiser for stabbing victim Kaitlin Jones has surpassed $13,000.

He is charged with malicious act with intent over the September 13 incident that sent shockwaves throughout the Mackay community and across the state.

Kaitlin Jones, 23, was sunbathing alone when a stranger approached her before later stabbing her multiple times in the head, neck and body with a knife.

A fundraiser for the young woman and her fiance Dylan Gorham, created earlier this week, has raised more than $15,000 as at Friday mid afternoon. She is still recovering in hospital.

Hours after the random attack detectives took a 16 year old boy into police custody – he was later charged with malicious act with intent, which has a maximum penalty of life for an adult.

Police on scene after a stabbing on the beach at Blacks Beach on September 13. Photo: Daryl Wright

It is understood the teen initially presented to a law organisation before handing himself in to police.

It is understood he is now represented by a different law organisation.

The teen was denied police bail and has remained in police custody since Tuesday afternoon.

This publication made a second attempt to sit in on the case to report on the matter in light of the significant public interest in the case.

Magistrate Damien Dwyer again exercised his statutory right to exclude media from the courtroom, citing his role was just administrative for this case as the charge would have to go to a higher court.

It is unknown if a bail application was made. However this publication can report that the teen was remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned until later this year.

A fundraiser for Kaitlin Jones and her fiance Dylan Gorham has already surpassed $15,000.

Friend of Ms Jones, Nic Gal, started a GoFundMe campaign initially to raise $5000 to support her and her fiance Dylan Gorham during her recovery.

“On September 13 … a tragic event occurred which resulted in our beautiful friend Kaitlin being attacked at a beach while she was on her own,” Mr Gal said.

“This tragic event has left her in a serious but stable condition in hospital and unable to work.

“By donating to Kaitlin and Dylan we will be able to make this hard time less stressful for them both so they can focus on Kaitlin getting back to 100 per cent.”

Kaitlin Jones and her fiance Dylan Gorham. The 23 year old was stabbed by a stranger multiple times while she was sunbathing on Blacks Beach.

Ms Jones reached out to her friend on social media thanking him for his effort, saying it “means the world”.

Already 166 people have donated $14,092 (as at Thursday night) in the 48 hours since the fundraiser was created.

Heartfelt sympathies have flooded in for Ms Jones since the terrible incident.

“She is just so beautiful,” Yazmin Sorensen said. “I hope she heals both physically and mentally.”

Shirley Shepherd said, “Thinking of this poor young lady at this terrible time in her life”.

“This young woman is going to have to live with this memory of this … for the rest of her life. She is never going to feel safe again,” Ms Shepherd said.

Jan Pirlo said, “The poor lady. So lucky the tradesmen were onsite and able to assist. Wishing her a speedy recovery.”

“This girl is an absolute beautiful soul. She is kind and it’s so sad to know this happened to her,” Karly Weeks said. “Sending her wishes to recover quickly and sending lots of love to her and her family.”