A Brisbane teen accused of brutally stabbing another child in a premeditated attack has told a court he suffered intense, racially charged bullying at the hands of his alleged victim.
Police believe two children, aged 17 and 16, were in the school’s courtyard about 11.41am on Tuesday when a fight broke out.
The younger boy allegedly stabbed the 17-year-old multiple times with a small knife before fleeing the school on foot.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
Police believe the two knew each other.
Officers later arrested the 16-year-old and charged them with one count each of acts intended to maim disfigure/disable and unlawful possession of weapons category M.
The boy appeared via video link at Richlands Magistrates Court on Wednesday to apply for bail, supported by his parents in court.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Shane Stephenson opposed the boy’s release on bail, stating the risk to the community was too high.
The boy’s family were present as details of his alleged attack on another teen were voiced to the court. Credit: News Corp Australia
He said the alleged victim sustained “life-threatening” injuries from multiple wounds to their lower back and torso.
The court was told the injured teen was rushed into emergency surgery with damage to their liver and internal bleeding.
Sergeant Stephenson said preliminary police investigations surmised the alleged attack was “premeditated”, having stemmed from an incident about two weeks prior.
“The only motive the detectives have ascertained at this point (is) … initial inquiries indicate he committed this offence in retaliation to the complainant posting a disparaging video about his family on social media,” Sergeant Stephenson said.
He alleged the boy then went to the school on Tuesday armed with a knife, stabbing the 17-year-old in front of a slew of witnesses.
“It wasn’t in the heat of the moment, it was two weeks after,” Sergeant Stephenson said.
“It could have resulted in the child’s death.”
The boy’s mother and father sat in court as he appeared from custody via a video link. NewsWire / John Gass Credit: News Corp Australia
According to the school’s online calendar, classes resumed on Monday following a two-week school holiday break.
The boy’s solicitor Torik Dib told the court the boy had received numerous bullying messages and online taunts via gaming platforms and social media.
“In the past couple months, essentially what has occurred is that there are a number of children … of a particular background and those people have been on social media and online and in person harassing him, intimidating him,” Mr Dib said.
He argued the messages, which he had personally witnessed, were sent before and after the video was posted.
Among the messages recited to the court were racist insults directed at the boy and his family.
“A bunch of words like this that have really scared the family,” Mr Dib said.
He said the bullying reached a pinnacle when the 17-year-old allegedly posted the video regarding the defendant’s family but was ongoing for months.
“In the past two months, (his bullies have) escalated in violence in terms of specific racial attacks against him,” he said.
Mr Dib said the boy’s safety was also threatened.
The solicitor submitted strict bail conditions would ameliorate any potential risk to the community if the boy was released back into the world.
The family was allegedly targeted by the 17-year-old and others in a slew of vicious, racist online taunts. Credit: News Corp Australia
He added the boy was being assessed for intellectual impairment and ADHD after suffering a traumatic injury when he was a toddler.
Magistrate Mark Howden, taking into consideration the “extreme serious” nature of the alleged offences countered by the boy’s lack of a criminal history, ordered he be released on bail.
Mr Howden ordered the boy submit to a series of conditions including a 24-hour curfew, in which the boy would be required to stay at home unless accompanied by his immediate family, adequate participation in a nominated psychological treatment program, and reporting to police weekly.
He was additionally ordered to complete a mental health plan and banned from entering the school property or going within 100m of his alleged victim.
A hospital spokesperson said the 17-year-old remained in care but was now in a stable condition.
A teen is recovering after allegedly being stabbed by another student. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia
Early on Wednesday, the school’s leader issued a stern statement on social media slamming speculation about the incident.
“Today, a serious incident occurred at our school,” he wrote.
“Before the facts were fully established, commentary began spreading rapidly, with some voices appearing more interested in creating a dramatic narrative than understanding a complex and sensitive situation involving young people.”
He said serious incidents involving children “should never become public entertainment”.
“Behind every headline are real students, families and staff dealing with genuine distress,” he said.
“The matter is being investigated by police. The college followed the directions of the relevant authorities, secured the campus and prioritised the safety of students and staff.
“The injured (child) is recovering, and support is being provided to those affected.
“We are deeply grateful to the many parents, community leaders, educators and members of the wider public who have contacted the college with messages of support. Your compassion and trust mean more than you may realise.”
The injured child is in a stable condition. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia
On Tuesday, the school issued a statement after the alleged stabbing.
“Any situation that threatens the safety and wellbeing of students or others in the school community is treated extremely seriously and dealt with as a matter of priority,” the statement read.
The school said students and teachers were plunged into lockdown shortly after the police and paramedics were contacted.
“At the same time, our school went into a short lockdown under established procedures to ensure the safety of all students and staff while we waited for emergency services to arrive,” the statement read.
“After the situation was contained, students and staff were sent home.
“The school is working with authorities, and counselling and support services are available for all school community members should they require it.”
The school said it would “continue to wrap our arms around the school community in coming days”.
A 16-year-old has been charged after the alleged stabbing. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia
The school will operate as normal from Wednesday and offer counselling for staff and students that require it.
Students told The Courier Mail the school was plunged into lockdown for “about two hours” after the alleged stabbing.
“I was scared at first but then it got more chill across the next two hours,” one said.
They said the 17-year-old was wounded in front of witnesses.
