A 16-year-old child accused of stabbing a fellow student at a Brisbane school has been granted bail after a court heard allegations of months of racist abuse and threats. The child, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in the Richlands Children's Court on Wednesday following his arrest on Tuesday.
Alleged Attack and Injuries
Police prosecutor Sergeant Shane Stephenson told the court the incident was extremely serious and concerning, alleging it was premeditated. The complainant, a 17-year-old, suffered wounds to the right side of his lower back and torso, resulting in damage to his liver and internal bleeding. Stephenson described the injuries as life-threatening, requiring urgent surgery.
Stephenson also told the court that the attack may have been motivated by a social media post, stating that the alleged attack was completely disproportionate to any perceived insult arising from such a post.
Defence Claims of Racist Bullying
Defence lawyer Torik Dib argued that the child had been bullied for months on social media. He said a number of children at the school, of a particular background, had been harassing and intimidating the applicant online and in person. Dib read out messages in court that he had been shown by the defendant's family, which abused the family on ethnic grounds.
Dib told the court that the child had been threatened and vilified on a range of platforms, with the situation escalating in violence in terms of specific racial attacks against him at school over the past two months.
Magistrate's Decision
Magistrate Mark Howden described the messages as threatening and racist. He ordered the child be released on bail with conditions. The case was adjourned until 3 September.
