Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says more changes are expected to be made to the state’s Youth Justice Act after a Coles staff member was allegedly stabbed in the back by a 13-year-old while at work.
Mother-of-two Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, was stocking the fridge at the back of the Coles supermarket in Yamanto Central in Ipswich shortly before 5.30pm on Monday when she was allegedly stabbed in the back with a large knife.
A woman was allegedly stabbed in the back by a 13-year-od boy while stacking shelves at Coles in Ipswich. Picture: NewsWire/ Liam Kidston
It’s alleged the knife was punctured through the woman’s back with such force that it emerged on the other side of her abdomen and was still embedded while she was transported to hospital.
The woman’s injuries were so gruesome and severe a specialist team of paramedics and a QAS emergency physician were required to provide lifesaving treatment before she was transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.
The woman remains in a critical condition as of Wednesday morning.
Police allege the 13-year-old boy took the knife from the supermarket.
They allege he fled the scene but was chased down by bystanders and security guards. The boy has since been charged with attempted murder.
Police allege the attack was random and the boy acted alone.
The 13-year-old faced Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday morning and did not apply for bail. He is remanded in custody.
The mother of two remains in critical condition. Picture: NewsWire/ Liam Kidston
Mr Crisafulli said the Queensland government would be updating its Youth Justice Act after the teenager’s alleged offence was not included in the party’s tough “adult crime, adult time” policy.
In this policy, which passed in December, juveniles convicted of serious crimes, including home break-ins, theft and murder, face the same sentence as adults.
However, the policy doesn’t include attempted murder.
“There will be more changes to the Youth Justice Act, many more, and Queenslanders need to know that we are serious about making sure that we reverse 10 years of changes in the other direction,” Mr Crisafulli said per the ABC.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has been urged to include attempted murder in the tough new Youth Justice Act. Picture: NewsWire / Glen Campbell
The shopping centre was plunged into lockdown. Picture: NewsWire/ Liam Kidston
Witnesses recounted the horrific scenes on Monday at the supermarket as the shopping centre was plunged into lockdown.
Say Sushi employee Dshering Dema heard screams and went inside the supermarket to see what was happening.
“She (Ms Watt) was lying down and there was also some blood on her back,” she told the Courier-Mail.
Detective Inspector Michael Manago condemned the alleged attack on Monday.
“This is an abhorrent crime that occurred to an innocent 63-year-old woman who was going about her daily employment at her shopping centre,” he said.
“And it shouldn’t happen in society today.”