Anger at bail for accused

By Kirra Livingstone

A MOTHER said children who witnessed a daylight stabbing attack at Glass House Mountains train station last week have been left traumatised by the event as she expressed her disgust that the alleged attacker had been bailed.

A 22-year-old Beerburrum man allegedly stabbed two men with a screwdriver, one at Glasshouse Tavern and another at the train station at about 3.30pm on Wednesday, October 9.

The first attack occurred at the tavern at around 3:30 pm on Wednesday when
a man allegedly began verbally abusing patrons.

The first victim, who was coming to the aid of his wife after she was harassed, was allegedly stabbed in the back. He was also stabbed in the pelvis, with the wound narrowly missing a major artery. Witnesses said the attacker then fled towards the train station, where he allegedly stabbed the second patron.

The man then tried to run across the tracks but was apprehended by police. Carly Rowlands (pictured) said she had dropped her daughter’s boyfriend, 16, and his sister, 13, at the train station, as the alleged attacker was hiding at the station.

“He told the kids he would give them $50 if they stayed quiet, then offered them a few cigarettes, and they said ‘no’,” she said.

The suspect was said to have told them he always carried a screwdriver. “That was when the kids knew that they were definitely in danger,” she said.

“They didn’t know whether they should make small talk or say nothing. They handled it well for not knowing they’d be put in that situation.” Carly added the kids were terrified, especially knowing the man had been released on bail.

“The kids are really disappointed to hear he is out on bail, because they felt really safe,” she said.

“They are just a bit more on edge now, they just look around more at their surroundings.”

Both victims were taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital with minor injuries.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said the man was set to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on October 31.

“A 22-year-old Beerburrum man has been charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed/in company,” they said.

The second victim – who required surgery to his skull after being stabbed multiple times – said he and his wife feared for their safety after learning of his release.

“He’s already walking around out there, and I just think it’s a joke,” the man said. “Before either of us were out of hospital, he was released from custody?” “I honestly thought I was going to die.”