Man, 19, charged with murder in connection to the death of Jack Beasley granted fresh bail
One of the teenagers accused of the stabbing murder of Jack Beasley has been granted fresh bail, just days after he was fined for several breaches and trying to sneak into Queensland from a COVID-19 hot spot.
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ONE of the teenagers accused of the stabbing murder of Jack Beasley has been granted fresh bail, just days after he was fined for several breaches and trying to sneak into Queensland from a COVID-19 hot spot.
The man, whose name is suppressed, was released on Supreme Court bail last week.
The 19-year-old had been in custody after breaching his existing bail six times by failing to report to police over two months.
He was required to report to police daily.
The teen was fined $1200 for a set of five breaches on October 21, and not further punished for the sixth two days later.
He was also been slapped with a hefty fine after attempting to illegally enter Queensland at the Griffith Street checkpoint on October 21.
Police said at the time the man had parked his vehicle in New South Wales before attempting to cross the border on foot. Police soon established he had been in a declared hot spot.
Jack Beasely’s father, Brett, who last month was left “dumbfounded” by the situation, was again furious.
“How many times does this have to happen?” he told the Bulletin after becoming aware of the teen’s fresh successful bail bid.
“It devastates us. My wife is at home in tears every single day and then all of a sudden you get a phone call saying he’s been granted bail again. It’s just a kick in the guts again for our family.”
Jack was killed on a night out on December 13, 2019.
Police allege five teens – aged 19, 17, 15 and two 16-year-olds – exchanged words with Jack and another teenager near the IGA in Surfers Paradise just before 8pm before returning to rob the pair.
It is alleged the 15-year-old produced a hunting-style knife and stabbed Jack to death, before stabbing another teen in the chest and back.
The 19-year-old was first granted Supreme Court bail on April 1.
It is unclear whether any conditions had been changed as part of the fresh bail.
The Bulletin recently revealed since Jack’s death friends and family have lived a never-ending nightmare.
A date is yet to be set for when the man and the four juvenile co-accused will face a committal hearing.
EARLIER: TEEN BREACHES BAIL AGAIN
ONE of the teenagers accused of the stabbing murder of Jack Beasley has faced court for a sixth breach of bail in less than two months.
The 19-year-old’s case was heard in his absence in the Southport Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
Through his lawyer Brianna Edwards, of Legal Aid Queensland, he pleaded guilty to one count of breaching bail.
The plea comes just two days after he pleaded guilty to five counts of breaching bail.
Prosecutor Paula Cavanagh said the teenager had failed to report to police in accordance with his bail conditions between October 14 and 20.
He is required to report to police daily.
She said he surrendered himself to Coolangatta police on Wednesday, October 21.
“This is a flagrant disregard of his bail conditions - he is not even attempting to report to police,” she said.
Ms Edwards said the teenager should not be further punished after being fined $1200 on Wednesday.
She said if the sixth charge was heard at the same time the punishment would not have been higher.
The teenager has remained in custody since Wednesday.
Magistrate Pam Dowse said she would not further punish the teen and no conviction was recorded.
It is not clear if the teenager will remain in custody.
EARLIER: TEEN ALLEGEDLY CAUGHT SNEAKING INTO STATE FROM COVID HOT SPOT
ONE of the teenagers accused of the stabbing murder of Jack Beasley has repeatedly breached bail and was on Wednesday allegedly caught trying to sneak into the state after being in a declared COVID-19 hot spot.
The man, 19, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court via phone on Monday charged with five counts of breaching bail.
He was taken into custody and issued a $4003 infringement notice after allegedly trying to illegally enter Queensland at the Coolangatta Griffith St checkpoint on Wednesday morning.
“It is alleged the man parked his vehicle in NSW before attempting to cross the border on foot,” a police spokesman said. “Police inquiries established the man had recently been in a declared hotspot. Follow-up inquiries found the man was also wanted in relation to breach of bail matters.”
The man failed to report to police between September 30 and October 13 this year, according to court documents.
His bail requires he report to police daily.
The man also breached his 8pm to 6am curfew on October 2, 8, 9 and September 28, according to court documents. Magistrate Kerry Magee fined him $1200.
Jack’s father Brett Beasley said: “I’m just dumbfounded. This is what we’re fighting for. We’re fighting for law changes. We’re fighting for different bail conditions.”
The murder accused was granted Supreme Court bail on April 1, having been in custody since December.
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Police allege five teens – aged 18, 17, 15 and two 16-year-olds – exchanged words with Jack and another teenager near the IGA in Surfers Paradise just before 8pm on December 13 last year before returning to rob the pair.
It is alleged the 15-year-old produced a hunting-style knife and stabbed Jack to death, before stabbing another teen in the chest and back.
The Bulletin recently revealed since Jack’s death friends and family have lived a never-ending nightmare.
Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler this week said people were still being fined at the border for blatant border breaches.
“It appears for some people the message still isn’t getting through. The border restrictions are there to keep the community safe and keep COVID-19 out of Queensland,” he said.
“People who show blatant disregard for the Chief Health Officer’s directions face being prosecuted.”
A date is yet to be set for when the man and the four juvenile co-accused will face a committal hearing.
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