Man accused of South Bank stabbing rampage was on date

The girlfriend of a man accused of stabbing two security guards in Brisbane’s South Bank said the pair were on a date moments before the alleged attack occurred. SEE THE VIDEO

The girlfriend of a Gladstone man accused of stabbing two men in Brisbane’s South Bank said the pair were on a date moments before the alleged attack and that she was “gutted” when she found out he had been arrested.

Jake Wayne Purcell, 28, faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with knife possession and two counts each of wounding and contravening a direction.

Police allege Mr Purcell stabbed two security guards on Wednesday after a fight broke out between them at a shoppinge centre on Grey St about 4pm.

Jake Purcell with Tiahna Wiles. Picture: Supplied

It will be alleged the guards - one who was employed by the centre and another from Wilson Security - approached the Gladstone man because they suspected he had stolen goods from the Woolworths Metro Southpoint store.

Police said a physical altercation broke out between the three, with two of them stabbed.

One man sustained a stab wound to his arm and the security guard was stabbed in the torso.

Both were taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba, with the security guard in serious condition.

The scene of the stabbing at South Bank station. Picture: 9 News Brisbane

Mr Purcell’s girlfriend of two years, Tiahna Wiles, told media outside court on Thursday the pair had been on a date moments before the stabbings and that he had “disappeared” after they went to purchase cigarettes from Woolworths.

“I don’t know what happened,” Ms Wiles said.

“We went on a date, we had a few drinks, he was in a fine mood.

The scene of the stabbing at South Bank station. Picture: 9 News Brisbane

“I went to Woolies to get some smokes … then I couldn’t find him anywhere.

“I thought he had jumped on the train … 10 minutes later I’m getting a call saying there’s cops everywhere.”

She said Mr Purcell sometimes struggled with his mental health but the stabbing allegations against him were “out of character”.

Ms Wiles said she was sorry for the stabbing victims and was “gutted” when she discovered Mr Purcell had been arrested.

“I do feel sorry for them,” she said.

Jake Purcell's girlfriend of two years Tiahna Wiles. Picture: Supplied

Mr Purcell was excused from appearing before Acting Magistrate Peter Cooke in person on Wednesday and stayed in the watch house cells while his matter was heard.

He did not apply for bail and his matter was adjourned to June 12.

Queensland Police South Brisbane District Officer Acting Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said two people could have been killed.

“There’s a reason why Jack’s Law was instigated, knives are deadly weapons. One stab wound can kill a person,” he said.

“That could have been two fatalities in the incident.”

Blood on the floor at the scene in South Bank. Picture: 9 News Brisbane

Witnesses on Wednesday said the accused attacker allegedly ran up an escalator to the South Bank train station and fled the scene.

He was on foot for some period before general duties crews spotted him and took him into custody.

Police also said they found a knife allegedly used in the altercation.

Two crime scenes were established, one at the top of the escalators and another at the bottom.

A spokeswoman from Knight Frank, a property group that manages the South Bank Southpoint shopping centre, said they were looking into the incident.

“Knight Frank continues to work with the police as they carry out their investigation,” she said.

The scene of one of the alleged knife attacks at South Bank. Picture: Shaye Windsor

United Workers Union coordinator Damien Davie said attacks on security guards were becoming “all too common”.

“We hear about these types of incidents at least once a week somewhere around the country,” Mr Davie said.

“What needs to change is property owners need to do the right thing by security and the community and provide a safer workplace and space for the community to shop.”

Mr Davie said guards should also be allowed to patrol in pairs, like police.

Australian Retail Association CEO Paul Zahra said “enough is enough”, and called on the government to introduce harsher penalties for people who assault staff.

“It’s horrific that retail violence is becoming a matter of life-and-death,” Mr Zahra said.

“We need a whole government approach to this severe and growing problem – working closely with industry.”

A Woolworths Group spokesman said team members who witnessed the incident would have access to counselling

Both men have been discharged from hospital.

Since wanding was rolled out earlier this year, 10 weapons have been seized by police within the South Brisbane district.

State-wide, more than 100 have been seized by police.

Superintendent Pilotto advised members of the public to ring police if they spot a crime taking place.

“I want the public to be assured that police across South Brisbane are very active in disrupting crime,” he said.

“We don’t encourage members of the public to approach offenders who have committed crimes, we would ask them to ring the police and let us deal with it. And on this occasion we have seen the outcome of that.

“Fortunately it’s not as bad as it could have been.”