Moreton Bay man accused of stabbing a cop to face court

The 30-year-old Moreton Bay man accused of stabbing a police officer and attempting to kill another person during a disturbance north of Brisbane on Monday has had his matter heard in court.

Emergency services were called to a Rothwell address before a police officer was allegedly stabbed. Picture: Aaron Goodwin

Details of a horrific incident where a local police officer was allegedly stabbed in the shoulder while attending a job at a home north of Brisbane have been revealed for the first time in court.

Rothwell man Paul Gali, 30, faces one charge of attempted murder, wilful damage, serious assault of police while pretending/is armed and going armed so as to cause fear following an incident at a home in the suburb Monday morning, May 1.

On May 2, representatives for Mr Gali addressed Redcliffe Magistrates Court after his arrest Monday.

Police were called to a Jones St, Rothwell address at 9.25am Monday following reports a 30-year-old man was armed with a knife and causing fear to a family member.

Police allege Mr Gali stabbed Senior Constable Joel Michael Davis from the Deception Bay Police Station in the right shoulder.

Police also allege Mr Gali attempted to kill another person, went armed to cause fear to a family member and wilfully damaged a police car at the same address and time.

The court heard Mr Gali, whose listed occupation is machine operator, was in hospital recovering from a self-inflicted stab wound to the stomach and was not fit to appear via video link, with duty lawyer Tayla Josefoski appearing on his behalf.

Ms Josefoski confirmed she had not received any instructions from Mr Gali yet, still recovering from a self-inflicted wound.

Magistrate Mark Bucknall adjourned the matter to May 4 and suggested if Gali was still unfit to appear in court, a bedside court appearance via telephone could be arranged.

“This is the attempted murder I heard about,” Mr Bucknall said.

“I know when I was sitting in Brisbane last week we did a few bedside ones.

“We had prosecutors who went up there (the hospital) and had the defendants appear by phone.”

Moreton District Crime Group Inspector Ben Fadian confirmed Mr Davis was recovering in hospital and was surrounded by loved ones and that it was a ‘confronting scene’ for all officers involved.

The male senior constable injured in the incident said the support and outreach provided by QPS to his family has “been of great comfort”.

“My family and I would like to thank my police colleagues, QAS first responders and RBWH hospital staff who provided first rate care and emotional support throughout this difficult time,” he said on Tuesday.

“Also a big thank you to those members of the public who have reached out and sent their well wishes.”