Teen jailed for 12 years after fatal stabbing at Acacia Ridge

A teen who attacked a 19-year-old multiple times with a hunting knife in a fatal attack at Acacia Ridge last year was addicted to stabbing, a court has heard.

Police at the scene of the stabbing in Gregory St, Acacia Ridge, in May 2024. File picture: David Clark

A teen who attacked a 19-year-old multiple times with a hunting knife in a fatal attack at Acacia Ridge last year was addicted to stabbing, a court has heard.

The youth, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 12 years’ jail in the Brisbane District Court on Monday for the brutal incident in May last year in which Abdduallahi Ahmed Lyow received critical wounds to his abdomen and back.

The court heard he knew Lyow and stabbed him for no “legitimate’’ reason three times. Lyow was taken to hospital but died a month later.

The teen, who was 17 at the time, also pleaded guilty to other offences including threatening violence toward a member of the public who had tried to intervene.

Abdduallahi Ahmed Lyow’s brother outside Supreme Court before sentencing was suspended. Picture John Gass

His sentencing last week was abandoned after Lyow’s 22-year-old brother dramatically lunged at the teen in court, leaving him with a minor injury.

Prosecutor Chris Cook told the court the teen said he was “addicted to stabbing because of past trauma”.

He had no prior convictions but there were claims made to the court that he was involved in gang related activity.

“The defendant was affected by substances. He clearly went to find the deceased after going to the park (where the stabbing happened),” Mr Cook said.

“There is no evidence as such premeditation … He and the deceased had an argument and that has escalated from that point in time.”

The teen’s lawyer read out a letter he wrote to Lyow’s family in which he apologised for a “huge mistake’’.

He wrote that his “heart is sunk, I was not in the right mind”.

The court also heard a victim statement provided by Mr Lyow’s sister saying their lives have been shattered.

Justice Rebecca Treston said the offending was particularly heinous.

Police at Acacia Ridge where Abdduallahi Ahmed Lyow received critical stab wounds. File picture: David Clark

She sentenced the teen to a 12-year concurrent term of detention but ordered he be released after serving 70 per cent of his sentence.

“He (Lyow) underwent numerous surgeries but ultimately developed sepsis and in conjunction with multiple organ failures. he died in hospital as a result of his injuries,” she said.

She took into account the challenges the teen had faced as a refugee, his remorse and lack of criminal history, but also the fact the stabbing was unprovoked and its impact on Lyow’s family.

Originally published as Teen jailed for 12 years after fatal stabbing at Acacia Ridge