Seven teens charged over man’s murder remain in custody
Andrew Stafford |
Seven teenagers charged with murder after a man was fatally assaulted and had his car stolen will remain behind bars.
Charges against the teens, including two girls aged 14 and 15, were upgraded after the 27-year-old man died following the alleged assault in Brisbane’s inner-north.
They face life sentences under controversial “adult crime, adult time” laws introduced by Queensland’s Liberal National government.
A group of teens are accused of assaulting the man and stealing his blue 2025 BYD Shark 6 vehicle at Kelvin Grove about 10.30pm on July 24.
The man was taken to hospital and died almost a fortnight later on August 6.
A total of nine children – six boys and three girls – were initially charged with a number of offences over the attack.
A week after the man’s death, seven teens – five boys aged from 15 to 17 and the 14 and 15-year-old girls – were each charged with an additional count of murder on Thursday.
It boosts the number of juveniles charged with murder under the tough new Queensland laws from four to 11.
It also marks the first two female juveniles to be charged with murder under the legislation.
Magistrate Anne Thacker remanded in custody a 17-year-old boy who appeared by videolink in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday ahead of his next appearance on August 24.
Six co-accused, who did not appear, were also remanded in custody with their matters adjourned until September 1.
Police are appealing for July 24 dashcam and CCTV footage captured on Kelvin Grove’s Victoria Park Rd between 9.30pm and 10.30pm and Holland Park West’s Barter Ave between 11.30pm and 11.50pm as part of the murder investigation.
They hope to speak to a potential witness who was driving a dark-coloured SUV on Victoria Park Rd.
Police are also seeking witnesses and footage between 8.10pm and 8.40pm on Kelvin Grove Rd, near the Musk Ave intersection in Kelvin Grove.
Two potential witnesses have been asked to come forward after they were seen driving in the area.
The first was last seen driving a dark-coloured SUV along Victoria Park Rd, Blamey St and Musk Ave about 10.15pm.
The second was last seen driving a blue sedan at 10.16pm on Carroway St at the Victoria Park Rd intersection.
AAP