Townsville Women’s inmate accused of attempted murder, alleged Cairns shooter in court recently

An inmate from Townsville Women’s Correctional accused of trying to kill other prisoners and a man alleged to have shot someone in a road rage incident were among those in court recently.

Tour of the Townsville Correctional Centre. Picture: Zak Simmonds

An inmate charged with assaulting and attempting to murder other prisoners and a man who is alleged to have shot another man after their cars crashed are among those who have had charges mentioned in a Townsville court recently.

Details below.

Evidence outstanding for alleged attempted prison murder

An inmate accused of attempting to murder other prisoners and assaulting officers at the correctional centre has had her charges mentioned in court as the matters progress.

Lillian Angela Kawangka was charged on August 6 last year after she allegedly attacked four prisoners and two officers at Townsville Women’s Correctional Centre in Stuart.

The 28-year-old was charged with two counts of attempted murder, three counts of deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm and serious assault of an officer.

No pleas have been entered.

On Wednesday, defence lawyer Mikaila Ward from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Legal Services appeared on the woman’s behalf and said she was still waiting on evidence to be submitted by the prosecution’s office.

Police prosecutor Sam Stewart said he was waiting on witness statements and DNA results to be finalised and said the expected date for the DNA to be submitted was mid-February.

Ms Ward said the defence team would take a partial brief of evidence in the meantime.

Magistrate Susan Warrington adjourned the charges to March 12 in Townsville Magistrates Court.

Ms Kawangka will remain in custody.

Alleged road rage shooter to be transferred to FNQ

A man who allegedly shot another man in the leg after a road rage incident in Far North Queensland will have the charges transferred back to the town where it allegedly occurred.

It’s alleged Matthew William Bionda shot a 43-year-old in the leg after their vehicles crashed in Edge Hill, Cairns in March last year.

The 35-year-old Varsity Lakes man was charged with acts intended to maim or disfigure, contravening an order about electronic information and possessing drugs.

No pleas have been entered.

It was revealed in the most recent mention of the charges in Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday that Mr Bionda had a co-accused who has been charged and currently has the matters progressing in Cairns Magistrates Court.

Defence lawyer Nick Douglas from Legal Aid Queensland said the co-accused has been charged with the same offences plus additional charges that will be mentioned on February 28 in Cairns.

Magistrate Susan Warrington adjourned Mr Bionda’s charges to March 12 in Townsville before they are transferred.

He has been remanded in custody and his appearance is not required.

Alleged police gun thief to have charges indicted

One of the four men allegedly involved in stealing a police officer’s gun from an unmarked vehicle has had the charge plus his additional charges mentioned in court recently.

Jack Noel Spark faces charges of unlawful supply of weapons, attempted unlawful use of motor vehicle, contravening an order about information necessary to access information stored electronically, enter premises and commit indictable offence by break, enter premises with intent, unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful use of motor vehicle and assault occasioning bodily harm.

No pleas have been entered.

On Wednesday, police prosecutor Sam Stewart said an application to indict the man on particular charges would be made and asked to have the matter adjourned to do so.

Defence lawyer Murray Bower from Townsville Lawyers appeared on behalf of Mr Spark said the man remained in Townsville Correctional Centre.

Magistrate Susan Warrington adjourned the charges to February 3 in Townsville Magistrates Court.

Originally published as Townsville Women’s inmate accused of attempted murder, alleged Cairns shooter in court recently