No journalists in court order for alleged Kefu attacker

A 15-year-old charged with four counts of attempted murder over the alleged home invasion at Former Kefu’s Coorparoo property is due in court today, but there’s a reason you won’t be able to find out what happens in the hearing.

The interests of a teen charged with the attempted murder of Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu and his family would be “prejudiced” by the presence of journalists in court, a magistrate has ruled.

The boy, aged 15, is one of four teenagers charged over the alleged home invasion at Kefu’s Coorparoo property on Monday morning.

Police allege Kefu, his wife and two of their children were allegedly attacked by four youths who broke into their home wielding an axe, a machete and a knife in order to steal a car.

The 15 year old faced Brisbane Children’s Court today for the first time charged with four counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault causing grievous bodily harm and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enter, burglary and deprivation of liberty.

Media organisations including The Courier-Mail, ABC and channels 7, 10 and 9 applied to the court to be present for his appearance.

Media argued they should be permitted in court on the grounds of open justice principles, public interest and in the interests of accurate reporting.

The boy’s Legal Aid lawyer opposed the application arguing his interests would be prejudiced by the presence of media.

“If the media were to be involved in the matter this would affect the child’s ability to participate in their court proceedings knowing that anything said can be reported upon,” she said.

Magistrate Belinda Merrin said under the Children’s Court Act the court must exclude from the room everyone except those permitted in legislation to stay.

Ms Merrin said a journalist may be present in court if the magistrate is satisfied their “presence would not be prejudicial to the interests of the child”.

Ms Merrin said while the starting point for the majority of other courts is that they remain open, that was not the case in Children’s Court.

Toutai Kefu, a former Wallaby player, and his family were allegedly attacked and stabbed during a home invasion.

She said most of the proceedings in the Children’s Court for this matter would be “administrative in nature”.

“It is difficult to see how there will be inaccuracy in reporting on those matters. If representatives of the media are not permitted to be present in court,” she said.

Ms Merrin said the media had not been present when the boy’s co-defendants appeared in court so permitting journalists now would “cause some prejudice to this particular young person.”

She refused the application.

A 15-year-old boy from Goodna on Monday was charged with the same offences over the incident. He appeared in court before the media could apply to be present. A third teen, aged 13, is facing the same charges. An application for media to be present at his court appearance was refused by an unknown magistrate. A further two 15 year olds – one from Browns Plains and one from Springfield Lakes – have been charged with the same offences. It is unclear which one appeared in court today given the lack of information provided to journalists.