Jack Beasley death: Teen convicted of murder appeals against sentence

There’s been a twist in the case relating to the fatal stabbing of Parkwood teen Jack Beasley a month after two teens were jailed for his death. READ THE LATEST

A teen convicted of murdering Jack Beasley in Surfers Paradise is appealing the length of his sentence.

Only 15 when he wielded the knife, the boy was ordered to serve at least seven years during sentencing in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on August 5.

The boy, now 17, this week lodged an appeal, the Bulletin has confirmed.

The date the appeal will be heard is yet to be determined. It is not clear the grounds of the appeal.

Jack’s family will speak with representatives from the Director of Public Prosecution in the next couple of days.

Jack Beasley, 17, was fatally stabbed going to a party in Surfers Paradise in December 2019.

Jack’s dad Brett Beasley said: “This young thug took our son’s life and as far as we are concerned he should have got 100 years and he is whinging about seven?

“The juvenile justice system is a joke.

“The Queensland government ought to be ashamed of themselves and need to get their finger out and fix the system.”

It was alleged a group of five boys was in Surfers Paradise on December 13, 2019 when Parkwood teen Jack was fatally stabbed near the Surfers Paradise IGA. One of Jack’s friends, also 17, was stabbed in the back and chest, leaving him with a punctured lung.

In CCTV footage played repeatedly to the court in May during the judge-only trial, the teens are seen running from the scene immediately after the fight.

One of the teens convicted over Jack Beasley’s fatal stabbing has lodged an appeal. Photo: Scott Powick

They were aged between 15 and 18 at the time. The four youngest cannot be named for legal reasons.

The 15-year-old wielded the knife and is seen in the CCTV footage stabbing Jack’s friend first before stabbing Jack.

He pleaded guilty on May 9 to murder and two counts of committing a malicious act with intent. A 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to manslaughter and grievous bodily harm. He was sentenced to seven years’ prison, with parole eligibility in August next year. He has not lodged an appeal.

During sentencing, Justice Soraya Ryan told the teen convicted of murder that from viewing the footage she found he was “simply waiting for your moment”.

“You had it all over members of Jack Beasley’s group,” she said.

“They were armed and you had a knife.”

She described him as a “coward”.

Brett and Belinda Beasley following the trial in May this year. Picture: Jerad Williams

At the same sentencing hearing, defence barrister James Benjamin, instructed by Legal Aid Queensland, read out an apology written by the teen.

“There are no words at this point in time that are going to take away my actions of that night.

“I cannot make my family or that family feel better.”

In the note he said he understood there were no words that could help and that he took responsibility for his actions.

“I understand that I may never be forgiven but I hope one day that I will be. I am regretful and I am sorry from the bottom of my heart,” he wrote.

The boy then spoke and gave his own mumbled apology.

“I’m very, very sorry for what I have done,” he said.

A date for the appeal to be heard is expected to be finalised in the coming days.

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