The music being played is from the successful TV series COPS.

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

In court: A woman whose whose day at the Amateurs races allegedly ended with her being raped by a stranger in her hotel room rang her friend in hysterics to say she had woken to find "a black man above me".

A WOMAN whose day at the Amateurs races allegedly ended with her being raped by a stranger in her hotel room rang her friend in hysterics to say she had woken to find "a black man above me". 

The best friend gave evidence yesterday on the first day of the Cairns District Court trial of Joshua Colin Accoom, 28, who is charged with breaking into the four-star Mantra Trilogy hotel room on the Esplanade and digitally raping the 30-year-old woman in the early hours of September 14, 2008.

"What I can remember is her screaming, ‘I’ve just woken up and there’s a black man standing above me’; she was quite upset, scared," the friend said.

She said she then ran along the Esplanade straight to the hotel where she asked her friend if she had been raped, getting the reply: "I don’t know, but I think he touched me inside".

The friend said she did not mention the comment to police because she did not realise digital penetration was classed as rape.

Mr Accoom has pleaded guilty to fraud relating to tricking the Trilogy’s receptionist to letting him into the woman’s $300 a night room.

But he is contesting the rape charge as well as the rape intent of the burglary charge.

In his opening statement, Crown prosecutor Michael Connolly said the woman had booked the luxury room with two girlfriends but had been the first to return after a big day at the races and partying on into the night at the casino and various venues.

As she was approaching the Trilogy entrance alone about 1.30am, Mr Connolly said Accoom came up to her, asking to come up to her room, and she rebuffed him several times before being let in through the locked front door by the receptionist.

But he said Accoom followed and overheard her telling the receptionist to leave a second key out for her friend "Tash".

Mr Connelly said security footage showed Accoom talking to the receptionist and having a cigarette outside with him then going up to the woman’s room.

He said the woman woke to find her Amateurs dress, which she was still wearing, up around her breasts, and Accoom standing over her, digitally penetrating her, calling her "Tash" and begging for sex.

He said the woman fought the man off and the jury would hear blood matching Accoom’s DNA was found on the sheets and his fingerprints in the room.

Accoom was allegedly found by police at the Cairns Base Hospital where he was being treated for an injury to his mouth and jaw which the Crown submits occurred during the struggle with the woman.

Monday, February 8, 2010

BREAKING NEWS: Two service station workers were forced to lock themselves behind a console during an armed robbery last night.

A man entered the Shell service station about 10pm with a shirt wrapped around his head and threatened the attendants with a knife before demanding cash.

He left empty-handed, however, following the quick thinking of the workers.

It was the second armed hold-up in Cairns yesterday, after an Edmonton service station was robbed in similar circumstances early yesterday.

In the earlier incident, a man demanded cash, cigarettes and a cigarette lighter from the lone staff member at the Mobil Service Station in Edmonton about 12.15am.

AN armed robber wielded a kitchen knife and threatened a woman behind the counter of an Edmonton service station about 12.15am yesterday.

The man demanded cash, cigarettes and a cigarette lighter from the lone staff member at the Mobil Service Station.

Police said the man pulled his T-shirt over his head and approached the staff member armed with the knife.

He left with "a quantity" of cash and cigarettes, a police spokesman said.

Detectives brought in the dog squad and sniffer dogs led them to some of the stolen items, which will be examined.

The robber remained at large last night.

Police have described him as 180cm tall with a fit build.

He was wearing a black T-shirt, pulled over his face, blue shorts and black thongs.

A GANG of 10 youths kicked a 30-year-old delivery man and robbed his pizza at Machans Beach last night.

The driver was robbed of his goods at Saw St at 10pm.

The offenders kicked the victim in the knee and fled the scene leaving the driver bruised.

Anyone with information should call Smithfield Police on 4057 1900.

A WOMAN has been indecently assaulted at a popular running and walking track in Cairns.

The woman was sitting in her car where it was parked near the Red Arrow trail when a man engaged in a conversation with her at 7.15am yesterday.

He then indecently assaulted her.

Police are now hunting for the suspect who used the name “Chris” and believe he was driving a red two-door ute at the time of the incident.

The victim described the man to police as having black scruffy curly hair, brown eyes, of slim build and was 184cm tall.

Detectives say the Caucasian man in his 40s was wearing a long sleeved navy coloured shirt and long pants.

Anyone with information should call Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Victims: Home invasion ordeal has shocked brothers James and Shane Radford

A GORDONVALE home invasion has rocked two brothers who were beaten with metal poles while other gang members taunted the boys and tapped on their windows.

The Radford family was locked in a real-life horror movie early Thursday morning when a gang of men stormed their home and hit them with steel pipes.

James Radford, 15, and his brother Shane, 13, were sleeping when two men came to their bedroom door about 12.30am.

James woke up but said before he could move, his head had been struck repeatedly with a weapon, causing deep cuts to the top of his head.

Shane heard the chaos and came to help his brother while their father Wayne wrestled with another intruder.

Mr Radford was able to subdue his attacker while the brothers slammed a gas bottle over the head of their
assailant.

The intruders, believed to be about 18 years old, managed to escape while Mr Radford attempted to call police.

The brothers say that as the nightmare was unfolding, friends of the intruders were scratching at the windows and yelling ‘How does it feel to have your home invaded’."

James received 10 stitches to his head at Cairns Base Hospital on Thursday morning and suffered a fractured hand while Mr Radford had a piece of glass removed from his hand.

"I just remember seeing him and then getting hit with a metal pole," James told The Weekend Post.

"It just happened so fast ... the only really painful part was the needles I got for my stitches."

Police are investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses.

The boys’ mum, Tania Osborne, said was shocked by the attack.

"I hope people realise that adults attacking kids with metal poles is just not acceptable," she said.

Friday, January 1, 2010

A MAN has been charged after he allegedly stabbed another man in the chest during a Cairns CBD altercation.

Police say about 10.30am yesterday, two men became involved in an argument in Lake St, Cairns.

One of the men received a stab wound to the chest.

He was taken to Cairns Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 39-year-old man has been charged with one count of unlawful wounding.

EMERGENCY flares have rocketed into a Cairns suburb, melting through skylights, scorching roofs and burning backyard property.

Hole lot of damage: Rodger McLean inspects the damage to his home where a flare burned through a skylight on his roof (inset).

A VIOLENT drunken brawl erupted in a car park after up to 300 revellers were told to leave an 18th birthday party in Cairns at the weekend.

Fighting and damage to the toilets at the skating rink next to the Brothers football clubhouse forced security and management to shut down the party at 10.45pm on Saturday.

A "large" brawl started when drunken partygoers spilled out into the car park at Behan St. Police were called to the Manunda address at 11pm.

They arrested six people but charged four – two 17-year-old boys and two men, aged 18 and 19 – with various offences including fighting and public nuisance.

Yesterday, Cairns police said Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics attended but no one required treatment.

An 18-year-old, one of those arrested, registered his mates’ event as part of Queensland Police Service’s statewide Party Safe program.

It is understood the event, of up to 300 people, had five security guards on site.

Last month, a mass party of more than 200 teenagers with just four parents supervising was stopped by police before it began.

One teen told Cairns police of the party they were organising at a sports club but because of security concerns officers advised against it.

In October, up to 500 revellers turned up for a wild booze-fuelled after-formal party which unofficially launched the end of school year celebrations.

The Redlynch Intake event, held on private property and charging $5 entry, attracted seven police crews and paramedics for more than four hours, despite having its own security.

Public access to Crystal Cascades has been banned after 9pm each day in an attempt to end drunken night-time mayhem around the popular Redlynch spot.

Cairns Regional Council approved a six-month trial of restricting public access between 9pm and 5am following a string of reports of drunken youths vandalising the area and nearby properties.

A TEENAGER has been gang-bashed and robbed at Ravenshoe.

The 17-year-old told police he was approached by six males on Monument St about 6pm yesterday.

They asked for spare change before assaulting him causing him to fall to the ground.

The group then kicked him and stole his wallet.

Four of the males are described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in appearance, the other two are Caucasian.

They are aged in their late teens to late 20s.

POLICE are hunting for a man who sexually assaulted a woman at a Manunda home early yesterday morning.

Police say a man entered a home in McCormack St, Manunda, and assaulted a woman about 5.30am yesterday.

He escaped when the woman’s partner returned home, and ran towards Birch St.

The man is described as being of Islander in appearance, in his early 30s, 178cm tall, medium build, and wearing dark coloured board shorts and no shirt.

He possibly had facial hair and smelt of alcohol. 

A CAIRNS man has been caught with 3000 ecstasy tablets stashed in a backpack.

Police found the 27-year-old Cairns man at 1.50pm yesterday at the Brisbane Transit Centre at Roma St.

Staw-hatted men ambush fast-food outlet employee

Late opening: The KFC at Earlville which was the scene of an armed robbery by two men early yesterday morning.

TWO armed robbers held a KFC employee at knifepoint yesterday, stole cash and then used his car as their getaway vehicle.

The masked men ambushed the man outside Earlville’s KFC food outlet about 7.10am. Police said one man was wielding a knife and the other was carrying another “bladed weapon”.

The business was not yet open.

But the robbers forced the man, 38, to go inside, holding him at knifepoint until he gave them cash.

The two thieves fled with an undisclosed amount of money and the man’s car keys, but police said they drove his vehicle no more than 100m before dumping it in Barr St and running from the scene.

They were last seen heading towards Balaclava Rd.

Cairns detectives called for help from the public yesterday to track down the offenders, who they said would initially have stood out to onlookers because of their large straw hats.

“They were in dark-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants with their faces hidden and with large straw hats on,” a police spokesman said.

What have I been saying since 2007 - WE NEED MORE POLICE - Founder of Residents Against Crimes

STAFF shortage at Mossman police station is forcing the community to take the law into its own hands.

A police spokesman has confirmed that a local tow truck driver, who reported a car missing from his yard at Mossman at 5.30am one day last month sighted the car nearly four hours later, crashed on the corner of the Captain Cook Highway and Bonnie Doon Rd.

Mossman police were advised of the crash at 9.10am.

However, the tow truck driver took the vehicle’s alleged driver to the station, 8km away, when police had not attended by 9.30am.

A paramedic also attended the scene and took a man to Mossman hospital with minor head injuries before the tow truck driver left the scene.

Police shortages in the Mossman area have angered business owners, who have been victims of a spate of property offences.

There has also been a rise in the number of vehicle break-ins at popular swimming spots at Mossman Gorge.

SWIMMERS are being targeted by thieves while enjoying a dip at Mossman Gorge's popular Hippy Hole.

Mossman Police are investigating the thefts of several wallets while their owners were in the water on Monday.

Police are urging visitors to secure their personal possessions while out swimming.

UPDATE: A 35-year-old Manunda man has been charged over an alleged pipe attack that left another man with a head injuries and bruised ribs this morning.

Police and ambulance crews headed to the Severin St home at 1.30am after witnesses heard the two men arguing.

The 47-year-old victim was transported to Cairns Base Hospital for further treatment.

His alleged attacker, a 35-year-old man, was arrested and charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

He will face Cairns Magistrates' Court today.

THIRTEEN charges were slapped on a 17-year-old Edmonton boy at the weekend. Edmonton detectives charged the teen with five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, six counts of stealing, one count of willful damage and one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle. He will face Cairns Magistrates’ Court on December 16.

BASHED off-duty firefighter Gavin Holden finally got an apology yesterday from the thug who viciously attacked him as he tried to help the man's brother after he was hit by a car. 

Good Samaritan: Queensland Fire and Rescue Service member Gavin Holden has finally received an apology from the thug who assaulted him at Redlynch

Christopher David Manger, 20, will spend a year behind bars for his unprovoked assault on the "good Samaritan", who was then kicked, punched, struck on the head with a bottle and dragged across a Redlynch street by about 10 young men who joined in the fight on the night of September 26 last year.

Mr Holden suffered cuts to his head and face, stitches to his mouth and grazes to his elbows and knees, with the ordeal causing him to question his values and willingness to help people in need, the Cairns District Court was told yesterday.

"This was an appalling display of aggression against a good Samaritan," Crown prosecutor Rachelle Logan said.

Judge Sarah Bradley sentenced Manger to three years’ jail with parole set for March next year to take into account the eight and a half months he has already spent in prison.

Ms Bradley said it was "beyond comprehension" that Manger would assault someone who had been trying to help his own brother.

As well as assault occasioning bodily harm in company, Manger pleaded guilty yesterday to a string of property offences.

These included the break-in and theft of six laptops from St Andrews College at Redlynch on September 21 last year, two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle and three burglaries, including one at a Redlynch home on January 14 this year where a woman woke to find Manger and another man going through her cupboards.

The court heard the pair ran away but returned later to retrieve four iPods and other items they had planted in a bush.

Most of the stolen property has not been found.

Defence barrister Jane Bentley said her client’s alcohol abuse was behind all his offending, and on the night of the attack he had also been distraught after seeing his brother jump in front of the car that hit him in a suicide attempt.

"He just lost control, he was acting stupidly… he unreservedly apologises for his actions that night," Ms Bentley said

BREAKING NEWS: A has been glassed in a daylight attack at an inner-city Cairns pub.

Police say the 21-year-old male victim had been with a group of people at the Lake St bar, when he got in a fight with another man about 3pm yesterday.

The victim was struck by the man in the face with a drinking glass.  

The alleged attacker then left the hotel.

The victim sustained lacerations to his face and was treated at the Cairns Base Hospital.

Police investigations are continuing.

Yesterday's glassing comes as the owner of the pub spoke out about new State Government legislation that will see glass and bottles banned from the bar, which is deemed to be "high-risk".

Sentence: Luke James Wentholt, 28, was sentenced to jail for attacking and robbing a prostitute in Cairns

A SYDNEY prostitute on one of her regular trips to Cairns for work was badly beaten, robbed and dumped in a wardrobe after she refused to refund an unsatisfied client.

The 44-year-old Chinese woman, who is 150cm tall and weighs 46kg, was no match for Luke James Wentholt, 28, who punched her repeatedly and threw her to the floor before dumping her in a wardrobe, Cairns District Court was told yesterday.

In sentencing Wentholt to three-and-a-half years' jail for robbery with violence in a Cairns apartment on June 13 last year, Judge Sarah Bradley said the woman's occupation was "totally irrelevant".

"She's incredibly vulnerable … and what he’s done is repeatedly and quite viciously attacked her for the purpose of stealing her money," Ms Bradley said.

The court heard Wentholt booked in with the woman after seeing her newspaper advertisement, then paid $170 cash up-front as arranged, but after losing his erection 20 minutes into the session, demanded a refund.

Crown prosecutor Rachelle Logan said the woman initially refused then offered to reimburse him $50, but Wentholt was still angry and when she went to call police, forced her to hang up and disconnected the phone.

Ms Logan said he then grabbed the bag where she had put the cash and, when she protested, punched her repeatedly in the face, chest and arms then threw her to the floor and manhandled her into a wardrobe, holding the door shut before leaving.

The woman suffered severe bruising, a bleeding and cut nose and needed stitches to a cut lip, but was too scared to give a statement for fear her parents and daughter in Sydney would find out her occupation.

She also lost more than $750 cash and five mobile phones in the bag.

Defence barrister Kev McCreanor said his client, who has served jail time in other states for property offences, was physically abused by his step-father as a child and kicked out of home at 13.

"He didn't go there with the intent of robbing her, when she threatened to call police, because of his record, he panicked and hit her," Mr McCreanor said.

Wentholt will be eligible for parole in February next year after already serving one and a half years in custody

  THEN

Peace: Paul James Miller leaves court after being bailed in July    

NOW

No laughing matter: Paul Miller is led away in handcuffs

PAUL James Miller's smile was nowhere to be seen as he was led from Mareeba Magistrates' Court in handcuffs.

The 18-year-old was yesterday sentenced to three months' jail after pleading guilty to pointing a laser beam at an Emergency Management Queensland helicopter as it tried to land at Mareeba Hospital in June.

Miller was the first person in Queensland to be charged under new laser light laws and magistrate Tom Braes said he was obliged to make an example of the "reckless" teen.

Prosecutor Sgt Michelle Mason told the court Miller told police the helicopter "could have crashed" because of his actions.

Sgt Mason described Miller's behaviour, which put the lives of people saving lives at risk, as abhorrent. She called on the court to hand down a prison sentence.

Miller’s defence lawyer James Barnes said his client's actions were not deliberate.

"He was playing with it (the laser) out of curiosity," Mr Barnes told the court. "He had no intention of bringing the helicopter down."

Mr Barnes said Miller was a responsible teenager, who worked hard in his job as a chicken catcher and had ambitions of securing a trade in leatherwork.

He said Miller's actions were reckless but not deliberate.

He called on Mr Braes to hand down a suspended sentence.

But Mr Braes was adamant Miller had to go to jail for his "irresponsible and thoughtless" actions to meet the community's expectation of a suitable punishment.

He said it was difficult to accept Miller's actions were not deliberate.

"It must be a punishment that deters you and others from committing this offence," he said.

"The helicopter could have come crashing to the ground in an area of town where there is a hospital, the aged care facility and a residential area.

"It is fortunate that no catastrophic event happened because of your behaviour."

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said pointing a laser light at an aircraft had potentially tragic consequences and that is why the Government put tough laws in place to discourage the activity.

"This sentence sends a serious message to any Queenslanders who would engage in this activity - you will be caught and the consequences are serious," he said."

Miller faced a maximum sentence of two years' jail under the laser lights regulations introduced last year.

He will be eligible for release in February 2010.

A TEENAGER allegedly bit a shop assistant and threw a can of food at another after a shoplifting spree at a Cairns supermarket.

Police say the 15-year-old girl from Manoora entered the Abbott St store about 3.30pm yesterday and stole a quantity of items. 

When approached by the shop staff the girl allegedly threw a can of food at a staff member and bit another staff member on the hand causing an injury. 

She will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act.

It comes after another attack on a shop attendant when gang of teens allegedly threatened a convenience store attendant with a Coke bottle before stealing cigarettes

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Vandals damage school

POLICE are investigating a vandalism attack on classrooms at Trinity Bay State High School in Hoare St over the weekend. Four windows and three glass doors were damaged by the offenders while there was also graffiti on several buildings. Anyone with information on the vandalism should phone Cairns police on 4030 7000.

Taxi driver hurt

A TAXI driver was hurt after a three-car crash involving a stolen car at Edge Hill on Friday. A Toyota Tarago van and a taxi collided at the intersection of Pease and Greenslopes streets before the van hit a parked car. The male driver of the Toyota Tarago, who is described as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance and about 15-years-old, fled the scene. The van was stolen from the Cairns Esplanade earlier on Friday.

TWO shotguns were among a haul of weapons and drugs allegedly seized by police during several raids at Yarrabah on Tuesday.

Eight search warrants were executed by police across the Aboriginal community south of Cairns, with 11 people charged with 14 offences.

The raids were part of Operation Shale, a one-day, drug-related operation at Yarrabah.

Edmonton CIB officer-in-charge Det-Sgt Warren Johnson said it was a good result for the operation that included officers from Edmonton and Yarrabah. “We were happy with the result,” he said. “Eleven people on 14 charges is a good outcome.”

Det-Sgt Johnson said as well as the shotguns, cannabis and several drug-related utensils were seized.

He said charges were also laid under the town’s alcohol management plan.

“We found two firearms, a number of drug utensils and some cannabis,” he said.

Det-Sgt Johnson said the guns were not in the best condition.

A 19-YEAR-OLD Mossman woman will face Cairns Magistrates’ Court after being charged with assaulting two police officers at Mossman. Police found the woman at Mossman Gorge and were trying to arrest her over an earlier incident when she allegedly punched a male officer in the eye. She then allegedly attempted to bite a female officer. She was arrested and charged with serious assault, assaulting police and obstructing police.

Subdued: Police arrest the man at the end of the siege

A DRAMATIC siege in Cairns yesterday afternoon ended when police Tasered a man allegedly wielding a loaded gun.

Police were called to the Spence St house about 1pm and began negotiating with a 31-year-old man who had barricaded himself inside.

Acting Insp Denis Fitzpatrick said the Taser was used after a negotiated end to the stand-off did not go to plan.

"His employer and police negotiators spoke with him and negotiated terms for a peaceful surrender, which he indicated he would adhere to," he said.

But the man tried to escape out the back door, before being captured by police.

"Keeping in mind there was the presence of a gun, a Taser was drawn and it was deployed," Acting Insp Fitzpatrick said.

"It subdued the man long enough for him to be arrested."

Acting Insp Fitz-patrick said police searched the home after the stand-off and would allege a loaded revolver was found. He said weapons charges may be laid.

Police said there was no one in the house with the man at the time.

"He made no threats to any other person but we were very concerned for his psychological welfare and that's why we had to act," Acting Insp Fitzpatrick said.

The man was taken to Cairns Base Hospital for assessment following the incident and last night no charges had been laid.

Neighbours said they heard police shouting "drop it, drop it" shortly before the drama ended.

Acting Insp Fitzpatrick said he was confident police had acted appropriately.

"Everything was adhered to and we were trying to effect a peaceful resolution," he said.

"Because we had full knowledge that a weapon was involved, this was the most effective and safe way to take him into custody. "

It was the second time police have used a Taser in the Far North after the weapon was used on a 33-year-old man at Woree on April 13

Folly: Police arrest a man who allegedly waved a toy gun from a car he was driving in

A MAN who allegedly waved a toy pistol out of a car window during a drive-by of the Cairns police station yesterday did not have to wait long to learn the folly of his drunken action. 

Just minutes after the incident, about seven police cars carrying officers in bullet-proof vests swarmed on the man’s Holden Commodore station wagon, heading it off near the Tobruk Pool in Sheridan St about 4pm.

A 39-year-old man, who had allegedly been a rear passenger in the vehicle, was put on the ground, handcuffed and placed under arrest.

Two other women and a man in the car were also taken in for questioning.

Cairns police Sen-Sgt Michael Bishop said the alarm was raised by a crew returning to the police station about 3.50pm who allegedly saw the man with his arm out of the car window waving what appeared to be a black pistol in the direction of the station.

"We got several crews to respond and, as a precaution, they were directed to put on bullet-proof vests," Sgt Bishop said.

Four cars initially responded with extra support crews arriving in two or three more cars soon after, he said.

The man, who was allegedly heavily intoxicated, was disarmed without incident and the hand gun turned out to be a plastic toy pistol, Sgt Bishop said.

"Luckily it turned out that way but if he had behaved the wrong way there could have been tragic consequences," he said.

"Police take incidents involving suspected firearms very seriously and there can potentially be very serious repercussions. Police would advise anyone against committing foolhardy acts like this."

No charges had been laid last night.

The daylight drama in Sheridan St attracted much public interest yesterday afternoon, with nearby business Ocean World fielding questions from intrigued customers.

POLICE allegedly found dangerous chemicals and a methamphetamine laboratory during a raid at a White Rock home.

It was the fifth amphetamine laboratory found in the Far North in the past four weeks, continuing a worrying trend of suburban drug manufacturing across the region.

A police spokeswoman told The Cairns Post police had seized the lab, which was allegedly using the dangerous hypo-phosphorous method to produce the drugs.

The method involves the use of hypophosphorous acid, making the process more susceptible to fires and explosions because of the phosphine gas produced during production.

As a result of Friday’s raid, a 31-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with producing a dangerous drug and fraud and will appear in court in December.

Clandestine drug lab found at a home at Kambara St, White Rock, on October 9. Pictures: Queensland Police Service

A second man, 51, was charged with possession of a dangerous drug and will appear in court next month.

Cairns police Sen-Sgt Graham Greentree said the number of labs found in the Far North was cause for concern but said it showed police were committed to finding them.

"It is a worrying trend," he said.

"This is the fifth lab found in about four weeks.

"But police are out there and actively investigating these types of offences."

Speaking after the fourth lab was found last week, Regional Crime Coordinator Insp John Hartwell said the labs often posed a threat to those living nearby, as well as those using the lab to make drugs.

He said police believed the labs were being used to make drugs for the local market, as opposed to sending them to Brisbane or interstate.

"It is a concern to us that there is obviously a trend at the present time in the illegal manufacture of amphetamines in the Far North," Det-Insp Hartwell said.

"It reinforces the commitment of the drug squad and the detection of these laboratories, not only to stop the drugs from getting on to the streets but to reduce the danger they pose to innocent people who may be living in close proximity to where the lab is operating."

Friday’s raid was not the only recent drug-related offence in the Far North with Innisfail police charging a 27-year-old man with drug possession after searching an Owen St home on Saturday morning.

Police went to the home on an unrelated matter but during a search found drug items under a bed and on a bedside table.

The man will appear in court at a later date

A WOMAN has been bashed and robbed in a brazen attack in the public toilets of the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon.

The 31-year-old woman was using the public toilets when she was approached by two other women, before one punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground, about 10pm yesterday.

She was then repeatedly punched before the two offenders stole her bag and fled.

The bag was found by police shortly after but two mobile phones and an iPod Nano were missing.

The woman sustained a laceration to the bridge of her nose, swelling and an abrasion to her right eye. 

Police are viewing CCTV footage throughout the city area, but are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information should contact Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

When kids demanded smokes, these people said no

MORE than 30 drunken teens armed with glass bottles, rocks and wooden planks spiked with nails bashed a family of seven in an unprovoked attack.

And it was all because Cairns Brothers rugby league player Neals Biehler, 23, told a teenage stranger he did not have a cigarette to give him.

Bashing victim Majella Biehler told The Cairns Post that after the knock-back, “all hell broke loose” at 3am in Swallow St, Mooroobool, on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was kicked, punched and belted with a wooden plank torn from a nearby fence.

Her brother, Neals, already suffering a fractured eye socket from last week’s grand final against the Atherton Roosters, was knocked to the ground.

“I was protecting my face,” he said. “I didn’t want to lose my eye. They were kicking and punching me all over.”

“WhenIcamearoundHayward St, I nearly died seeing him laying there. I thought he was dead. He was covered in his own blood.”

She came forward yesterday after reading a story in The Cairns Post on Thursday about the Earlville bashing of Peter Moor.

“This has to stop. This is getting ridiculous. We have lived in this house for 35 years,” she said. “We hope that someone sees what they’ve done to Aaron and turns themselves in or they dob their mates in. It’s disgusting.”

Cairns district crime prevention officer Sen-Constable Russell Parker said police still did not have many details about the attack. Sen-Constable Parker said police were appealing for anyone with information on the bashing to come forward.

Anyone with information on this attack should contact Cairns Police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A GANG of teens allegedly threatened a convenience store attendant with a Coke bottle before stealing cigarettes and sunglasses during an early morning hold-up in Cairns.

Police say one man walked into the Night Owl convenience store in Mulgrave Rd, Earlville, about 4.30am.

He allegedly took a bottle of Coke before the attendant followed him outside.

Disturbing images from the alleged attack shows two young people threatening the attendant with a Coke bottle and a rubbish bin.

Police say the three other alleged offenders then jumped over the counter, taking cigarettes, sunglasses and the attendant's wallet.

Police have arrested two men and one woman, aged between 17 and 20, but are still seeking two other alleged offenders.

Pictures: Images from CCTV footage

 Read the full story in Friday's Cairns Post

A MANUNDA resident woke to find a burglar wearing his shirt and tucking into food from his fridge.

The hungry thief then allegedly threatened him with a knife.

A 45-year-old man, wearing the victim's clothes, was arrested near the house after the break-in on Sunday

Hunt: Police cordon off the road during the search.

UPDATE: A 35-year-old Kuranda man will appear in court this afternoon after an eight-hour police search yesterday.

A 35-year-old man has been charged with unlawful wounding, unlawful possession of a weapon, carrying a weapon in a public place and discharging a weapon in a public place.

• Pictures: Police search at Myola
• The charges follow an extensive police search yesterday afternoon after a single-vehicle crash on Oak Forest Rd, near Kuranda, west of Cairns, and an alleged stabbing in Cairns at Farmer St, Edmonton, on Sunday.

A man was arrested last night after police caught him about 8.20pm. He was taken to Cairns watch-house and later charged

COMMUNITY volunteers are patrolling Manunda's streets at night, trying to keep in check a rise in  
anti-social activity from roaming gangs of youths.

The new patrol was launched as debate reignites over the need for a nightly curfew on youth in the suburb to help curb an increase in vandalism.

Do you think a youth curfew should be introduced in Cairns? Vote in Cairns Post poll or post a comment.

The patrols, co-ordinated from the Manoora community centre, involve a rostered group of volunteers who use a council car to patrol trouble spots at Manunda between 7pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday.

• Vandal gang caught on camera

The volunteers do not interfere in dangerous or violent situations, but instead make sure young children are not wandering the streets at late hours.

Manunda Neighbourhood Watch chairwoman Thelma Spelta said she supported a curfew, especially if it led to increased parental responsibility and the granting of more disciplinary authority for school teachers.

"There should be a curfew around there if they are going to keep mucking up," she said.

"For people under 18 the curfew should be 10pm, or even 9pm. I would support that wholeheartedly.

"They shouldn’t be out to all hours of the night because how will they concentrate at school the next day."

• Manunda vandals target cars 

Cairns police district Insp Russell Rhodes said the size of Cairns would make a curfew hard to enforce, saying strong legislation would be needed before the plan could be considered.

"Cairns these days has a population over 100,000 so the question becomes are we able to enforce and police a curfew," he said.

"And we would be dealing with the children we are already dealing with now so we would rely heavily on strong legislation to even try and do this."

• Worker fears gang threats

Insp Rhodes said police had procedures in place on how to deal with children found wandering the streets at night.

"It is fair to say we put a lot of human resources into two or three particular suburbs here in Cairns and that is because it is a known stomping ground for some of these offending children," he said.

"They are out there late at night, they are in groups, they are moving around and they are doing the wrong thing."

But civil libertarians and politicians have dismissed the idea of a curfew, saying it would be hard to police and
discriminatory.

Cairns MP Desley Boyle said: "Curfews have been discussed many times without offering another plausible solution.

"They punish the good majority and would not be effective in curtailing the troublesome minority."

Queensland Council for Civil Liberties president Michael Cope said there was no evidence curfews worked and instead called for a system more inclusive of youth workers and parenting support.

Ms Spelta said a curfew could be effective if agencies approached the problem together.

"That is the only way it could work, with everyone working together," she said, citing Lyons Park as an example of results that could be achieved.

THE Far North is the most dangerous place in Queensland for ambulance officers with more paramedics assaulted here this financial year than anywhere else.

Under fire: Ambulance officers may have to take self-defence lessons in the wake of more attacks on them while on duty

Figures tabled in State Parliament at the end of August revealed five paramedics working in the Far North have been assaulted this year between July 1 and August 19.

The figure is only matched by the Central Region, but is higher than Brisbane with three assaults and the Northern Region, also with three assaults.

The shock statistics come as a 19-year-old Woree man was yesterday charged with assaulting a public officer after allegedly trying to pull a paramedic out of an ambulance.

The man allegedly grabbed the female rescue worker from her vehicle after paramedics escorted him from a shop on Mulgrave Rd in Earlville.

The woman received injuries to her knees with the man expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on October 6.

Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union state organiser Kroy Day said the assault figures did not come as a surprise.

"The reality is we have been talking to the State Government about this
issue for a long time," he said. "We have called for self-defence training and the Government is dramatically dragging its feet on this.

"Ambulance officers have the right to go to work and do their job, which is to treat the most vulnerable people in the community, and go home safely to their families."

The numbers carry on an unwanted problem for the Far North with figures from the previous two financial years showing the region as the most dangerous place for paramedics to work outside of southeast Queensland.

In the 2008-09 financial year, 16 paramedics were assaulted in the Far North, behind only Brisbane with 27 and the South Eastern Region with 23.

Two of those 16 assaults on paramedics resulted in the ambulance officer having to take time off work to recover. The figures were released after Opposition emergency services spokesman Ted Malone asked counterpart Neil Roberts to table a region-by-region breakdown during a parliament sitting in late August.

In his response, Mr Roberts said the Government took assaulting a paramedic seriously.

• Man spits on paramedic
• Ambo attacker in court
• Officers attacked on job

BREAKING NEWS: Two men accused of running an amphetamine laboratory out of a home in the small seaside town of Cardwell will remain in custody after they chose not to apply for bail.

Garry Desmond Stoekle, 21, and Joshua Robert Rushton, 18, both of Cardwell, were led into Innisfail Magistrates' Court in handcuffs today to make a brief appearance before their matters were adjourned.

The men, who were arrested on Saturday after police stormed a Cardwell home to find a working amphetamine laboratory, did not enter pleas for more than 15 drug-related charges.

Mr Stoekle has been charged with trafficking drugs, supply, producing and possessing drugs, obstructing a police officer, failing to safely dispose of a syringe, possessing utensils and items used in commission of a crime and unlawfully possessing a relevant substance.

Mr Rushton faces charges of producing and possessing drugs, possessing a related utensil and possessing property suspected of being used in connection with a drug offence.

The two men did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody to reappear in court on October 5.

An Ingham man, 35, is due to face Tully Magistrates' Court on related matters for the first time on October 8.

A CAIRNS motorist has been ordered to do the same drink driving course she completed almost a year ago. In Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Donna Maree Oldfield pleaded guilty to four charges, including obstructing police, contravening a police direction, and failing to provide breath and saliva tests. The offences come as she is on probation for two drink-driving offences last year and in 2007. Magistrate Joe Pinder ordered she complete an intensive corrections order including the Under the Limit program she completed less than a year ago. He also banned her from the road for two years.

Victim: English student Bianca Kudnzler could have been killed by a man in a ute who allegedly rammed her bike and stole her bag

Bianca Kudnzler, 25, arrived in Cairns only two weeks ago to study English and was riding her bike to the Westcourt home of her host family just after midnight.

While riding along Martyn St at Parramatta Park, Ms Kudnzler was allegedly approached from behind by a ute before it rammed her, causing her to momentarily lose her balance.

She managed to remain on the bike but the ute returned and a male passenger allegedly leaned out the side of the ute and snatched her bag.

Ms Kudnzler’s host while in Cairns, Perri Conti, said she was appalled by the actions of the alleged offenders.

"They could have killed her," she told The Cairns Post.

"This is getting out of control with cars being used to ram someone."

Ms Kudnzler escaped the alleged attack with a few bruises to her leg and was yesterday "coping well".

Police were called to the scene immediately following the alleged attack and quickly broadcast a description of the ute and the offenders involved.

A Smithfield police crew later spotted the ute at Smithfield McDonald’s and allegedly recovered the stolen items inside.

A 17-year-old Cairns man and a 17-year-old Cairns woman were charged with several offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

A 16-year-old male and a 15-year-old female were also charged with similar offences and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Cairns district crime prevention officer Sen-Constable Russell Parker yesterday praised Ms Kudnzler for her quick thinking and the accurate description of the car and the offenders, which he said greatly aided police.

Ms Kudnzler’s grey and blue bag is still missing but she is expected to collect the rest of her recovered personal belongings from Cairns police today.

A FORMER Cape York mayor has been committed to stand trial for bashing, raping and dragging a former council employee across the yard at her home.

Former Bamaga mayor Colin Robert Bond was committed to stand trial after a Cairns Magistrates’ Court hearing yesterday. 

The charges of rape, assault with intent to commit rape and deprivation of liberty stem from an alleged incident in Brown St, New Mapoon, a small settlement near Bamaga on the tip of Cape York.

The incident allegedly happened on November 27 last year.

The only witness to give evidence during the closed hearing was the alleged victim, aged in her 20s.

The woman allegedly lost one of her front teeth in the attack and suffered bruising, grazes and a cut to the side of her nose.

Police have alleged Mr Bond went to the woman’s house, attacked her from behind, knocked her to the ground, dragged her into the yard and assaulted and raped her.

Police prosecutor Sgt Mark White said the woman had allegedly previously worked with Mr Bond at the Bamaga council offices.

The trial will be held in the Cairns District Court on a date to be fixed.

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with possession of a knife in a public place after police found him drunk in an Innisfail street yesterday afternoon.

Police say the boy was found in Glady St, Innisfail, about 4.45pm, and breathtests showed he had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.132 per cent.

The boy will appear in the Innisfail Children's Court.

The latest incident comes after The Cairns Post yesterday reported a case involving a 15-year-old boy who was allegedly caught driving a car with a blood alcohol reading of 0.053 on Sunday morning.

• Boy, 15, blows 0.053

Minutes earlier, an 18-year-old man waiting at a bus stop on Hambledon Drive was approached by a man who demanded he hand over his mobile phone. When he refused, he was grabbed by the offender and assaulted but escaped by boarding a bus.

Police believe the two attacks may be linked and have released an image of a man they want to speak to.

He is about 170cm tall with dark skin, a solid build and short hair.

Anyone with information should contact Edmonton CIB on 4045 9111.

“Itlookslike(theoffender) was in the area and has taken the opportunity because (the woman) was by herself and the area where the attack took place is away from the main entrances on the shopping centre,” he said.

It was revealed yesterday the woman only managed to escape from the car when the man stopped the attack to look for the car keys, confirming police suspicions it was more than a robbery.

The carpark is not equipped with CCTV cameras, although footage taken from the nearby train station and shops within Cairns Central is being examined.

The man is described as Caucasian, about 30 to 35 years old with a clean cut, olive complexion, a fit build and short dark hair.

He was of medium height, wearing blue jeans and a light, striped shirt which may have had long sleeves.

Kids charged

SEVEN children were charged with 15 offences at Yarrabah this week. They include breaking and entering, wilful damage and stealing. Police said investigations were under way for break-ins at the Yarrabah Daycare Centre, Yarrabah Aquatic Centre, Seahawks Rugby League club house and the Yarrabah museum.

POLICE are urging car owners to lock up. A wallet containing cash and cards was stolen from the passenger seat of an unlocked vehicle parked outside a Pease St house at Manoora between 1.30pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday.

Office ransacked

 POLICE are investigating the break and enter of a Mt Milman Drive variety store at Smithfield in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Entry was gained to Sam’s Warehouse complex and the office was ransacked.

Knife ‘wielded’

A WOMAN has been charged with serious assault, possessing a knife in a public place and public disturbance after allegedly wielding a knife at a man at the Westcourt Tavern on Wednesday.

A TERRIFYING abduction attempt on a woman at Cairns Central yesterday afternoon has police concerned about the brazenness of the offender, who may have struck before.

The 56-year-old woman was leaving her car at the northern end of the lower level car park at the shopping centre about 3pm when the man attacked and tried to abduct her.

He forced the woman back into the car, locked the doors and tried to take her keys as the woman fought the man, screamed and sounded the car’s horn to attract attention.

The woman managed to escape the car before other shoppers came to her aid, including one man who chased the offender as he fled up a fire escape to a higher car parking level.

Cairns CIB officer-in-charge Det Sen-Sgt Ed Kinbacher said the attack was alarming.

“It was violent and what is concerning is he attempted to keep the woman in the vehicle,” he said. “It wasn’t just a car theft, it appears to have more sinister overtones.”

THE ringleader of one of the child gangs that were terrorising the city with violent muggings and robberies last year has done his time and been warned to change his ways. 

The 14-year-old, who cannot be named, has spent about seven months in juvenile detention in Townsville, which was declared as sufficient punishment at his sentencing in Cairns District Court on Tuesday.

The teen pleaded guilty to 25 offences that included the violent robbery and mugging in company of two men as they walked home along Mulgrave Rd from Balaclava Hotel at Earlville in the early hours of March 6 last year.

He will now spend 12 months on probation with Judge Sarah Bradley particularly urging him to undergo victim empathy counselling and complete the Changing Habits and Reaching Targets program.

"There are a lot of reasons why you did go off the rails but, at the end of the day, you can’t blame other people, it’s your choice whether to lead a good life or a bad life," Ms Bradley said.

The gang’s 1.45am ambush on the two men, one of whom was slashed across the chest with a knife and robbed of his wallet while his mate was bashed, was the third youth gang attack in the city that month and prompted the setting up of a special police taskforce targeting child thugs.

It also prompted calls by then mayor Kevin Byrne for a night curfew for children under 16.

In court on Tuesday, the teen’s barrister, Rob Curtin, said some of the offences dated back to 2006 when his client was only 11 and living at Emerald.

Mr Curtin described his client growing up in a volatile family relationship with much of his offending occurring during a period last year when he had run away from home and was in the grip of the "gang mentality".

The boy’s mother, who also addressed the court, said as a single mother of six she had struggled with his supervision and getting him to go to school.

Although the family was living with her grandmother, who was "very strong culturally" and a good influence, she had applied to get supported housing where she could live with her son and devote herself entirely to getting him back on track.

POLICE are investigating a break and enter at an inner city hotel on Thursday. Offenders gained entry to an engineering room at the Pier Point Rd complex between 8pm on Thursday and 6am on Friday.

Several mobile phones and a laptop computer were stolen during the incident. Anyone with information should contact Cairns police on 4030 7000.

Cleared out: $800 worth of outdoor furniture was stolen from Sally and Alan Hunt on Wednesday

POLICE are investigating the theft of outdoor furniture from a couple's front porch in a retirement village.

Alan Hart said he woke early Wednesday morning and went to collect his newspaper when he saw his glass-top table and four chairs, valued at more than $800, were missing.

"They (the thieves) must have needed an outdoor setting," he said.

Mr Hart said he and his wife's bedroom was next to the porch, but they did not hear a thing.

"I am sorry I didn't wake up, but on the other hand I am glad I didn't because if I had gone out there it may have been worse," he said.

Mr and Mrs Hart, both 84, moved to the retirement home for a peaceful life.

"It's a big bad world out there, I thought we would be safe in here," he said.

While the retirement village does not have a security gate, Mr Hart said a guard patrolled at night.

"How would these people feel if it happened to their grandparents," Mr Hart said.

"I just can't imagine anyone ever robbing a retirement home," he said.

Masonic Care Queensland facility manager Bob Birrer said the theft was a rare occurrence.

Mr Birrer said the security system in place was reviewed each year.

"We have already planned a meeting to talk to residents about safety and security because of this incident," he said.

"We are lucky that this was not an attack of personal violence, just a sad reflection on society."

A CAIRNS man has been charged after a three-month operation targeting the trade of child exploitation material on the internet.

The 22-year-old Cairns man was charged as part of Operation Hotel Quiet which started in June and saw the execution of 16 search warrants around the state.

Men in Rockhampton, Varsity Lakes, Burpengary and Richlands were also charged as part of the operation conducted by detectives from the State Crime Operations Command Taskforce Argos.

Three juveniles were also cautioned as part of the operation.

Det-Supt Peter Crawford of Taskforce Argos said the operation would continue.

“We are pleased with the success of the operation and are continuing to work to prosecute those who profit from or take part in the victimisation and exploitation of children,” he said

The arrests came as Premier Anna Bligh, Police Minister Neil Roberts and Deputy Commissioner (Specialist Operations) Ian Stewart launched the “Who’s chatting to your kids?” project at parliament house.

The project involves a 45-minute DVD and brochure aimed at warning parents of the risks involved with children using the internet.

“The project is an important initiative and one which aims to educate parents of the risks of internet predators and the ways to ensure their children stay safe on the internet,” Det-Supt Crawford said.

All 10 people charged as part of Operation Hotel Quiet will appear in court in the coming weeks. Three juveniles were also cautioned as part of the operation.

'Sickening': A 'depraved monster' who photographed himself molesting and raping little girls to add to a child porn library of almost 67,000 images has been jailed for 12 years

A "DEPRAVED monster" who photographed himself molesting and raping little girls to add to a child porn library of almost 67,000 images has been jailed for 12 years.

Cairns District Court Judge Bill Everson, who refused to look at the sickening photos tendered at yesterday's sentencing, told Cairns truck driver Stephen John Kennedy, 46, his behaviour was not only "abhorrent and disgusting" but had been catastrophic to the lives of his young victims and their families.

"You appear to have gone from being a loving parent to a depraved monster preying on young children and addicted to internet pornography," Judge Everson said.

The father-of-four yesterday pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, three counts of indecent treatment of a child with aggravation and three counts of making child exploitation material.

Two of the rapes were of a three-year-old girl, whose father left her in Kennedy's care for four days in October 2006. In that time, Kennedy took about 40 photos of her posing with him in sexually explicit ways and being interfered with by him on two occasions.

The third rape was of an eight-year-old girl left in his care, who he took advantage of after drugging with an anti-depressant when she got travel sick on a truck ride from Townsville to Cairns in April 2007.

Over fours at his house, he photographed himself with her naked and arranged with him in sexually explicit poses.

He also bound and gagged her with tape.

In a search of Kennedy's house in the same month, police found almost 67,000 pornographic photos of children on his computer hard-drive and on 60 compact discs, as well as 165 video files and 100 links to child exploitation websites.

The images were filed under titles such as nude and semi-nude.

Hundreds of the images had been taken by Kennedy and included neighbours' young daughters playing semi-naked in their yards and a 13-year-old friend of his own child in her underwear while she slept.

Others were of unknown children in parks and soccer fields.

Kennedy, who has already spent more than two years in custody, was struggling to deal with what he had done and was recently baptised, his barrister John Harrison said.

He had also explored getting chemically castrated to reduce his threat to society

 Resort predator: Dunk Island, where police are looking for a man who assaulted a woman while she lay in bed at a resort

A WOMAN has been sexually assaulted at an island resort while she slept next to her partner.

Mission Beach and Tully detectives were joined by Innisfail forensic officers on Dunk Island to investigate the alleged assault, which occurred between 4.30am and 5am yesterday.

It is believed the attacker, described as a Caucasian man, 175cm tall and slim, broke into the couple’s room, before sexually assaulting the female tourist.

Police spent most of yesterday on the island interviewing potential witnesses but no charges have been laid.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

VANDALS have broken the new ticket machines at Cairns Central Shopping Centre, even before their first use.

The attack comes just two weeks before paid parking is scheduled to be introduced at the shopping centre on September 14. 

Police say four offenders approached the machines shortly after 5am on Sunday.

They kicked them repeatedly, causing substantial damage to several machines.

The shopping centre's decision to start charging for parking has been controversial, with the issue hotly debated at cairns.com.au over recent weeks.

• Anger at $15 a day charge
• $15 a day parks at Cairns Central
Pay-for-parking work begins at Cairns Central
Free ride ends at Cairns Central
Airport parking fees sky high

TWO teen girls have walked away from a car crash after a four-hour joyride ended in disaster in a suburban Cairns street.

The 15-year-old driver and her 16-year-year passenger had been hooning up and down Murray St, Manoora, at high speeds before smashing into a parked car and rolling the vehicle, police said.

Sen-Sgt Dion Readman said both girls had been taken to hospital with minor injuries and would undergo testing for alcohol and substance use.

Sgt Readman said the vehicle  was a rental, hired by one of the girls' relatives.

The girls are expected to be charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and potentially drunk driving.

Neighbours said the girls lived in the area and had been hooning since 5.30am.

The crash occured just after 9.30am

  Before: The Festival Cairns piano before it was smashed.

 After: Vandals have destroyed  a piano that formed part of a Festival Cairns interactive display     

VANDALS have smashed a decorated piano and stolen a sculpture display, both left on CBD streets as part of Festival Cairns.

Early yesterday morning, one of the Festival Cairns Keys to the City pianos was broken beyond repair.

The piano, outside the Crown Hotel, had been decorated by TAFE art teacher Kevin Edmondstone and was one of six pianos placed in the CBD for the festival.

"I am stunned, it is taking a while to sink in," Mr Edmondstone said hours after he found out what had happened.

It took Mr Edmondstone a week to paint the piano.

"I am not sure what I would say to the people who did this, I guess they have no respect for what other people are trying to achieve," he said.

An artist for more than 25 years, Mr Edmondstone said he was disappointed that now the whole community will suffer because of the inconsiderate acts of others.

Crown Hotel manager Brett Jeffery said the piano had been well received.

"We had a Japanese lady who came here each day to practise to play at her brother’s wedding," he said.

"Today she came and the piano was gone."

Mr Jeffrey said tenants upstairs at the hotel heard a commotion about 1.30am.

"Whoever did this must have been jumping up and down on top of the piano," said inner city facilities manager Malcolm Robertson.

"We did expect some vandalism, but did not expect it to be attacked in such a way."

Acting Insp Dennis Fitzpatrick said there was no CCTV footage of the event and at this stage police are looking for any leads.

The vandalism comes after the theft of an Esplanart display on Saturday.

Artist Leith Maguire’s installation, Vigil, was taken from the Esplanade after the Pacific Toyota grand parade.

Anyone with information regarding the destruction of the piano can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

POLICE are hunting a group of thugs who smashed a bottle over a man's head and stole his backpack in an early morning mugging.

Police say an 18-year-old man was walking along Aplin St, Cairns, about 3.20am when he was approached by four males asking for cigarettes.

When the man told them he did not have any he was punched in the face and body before being struck over the head with a glass bottle.

The males have then stolen the man’s backpack and wallet before he managed to escape and call police.

The man suffered minor abrasions to his face and head in the attack.

Police are still looking for the alleged offenders, who are described as being of islander appearance.  

Anyone with information that could assist police with their investigations can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Toilet glue victim tells of humiliation.

THE victim of a cruel toilet prank at Cairns Central shopping centre says a dodgy kebab led to the most humiliating situation of his life.

MEAN pranksters glued an elderly man's bottom to a toilet seat in the public loos at Cairns Central, forcing him to sit tight during a highly embarrassing rescue.

The 70-year-old Cairns man was stuck so fast he had to be taken from the men’s toilets with the unwelcome fixture still attached, in full view of a gathering crowd of curious Saturday shoppers about 10.30am.

He was taken by ambulance to Cairns Base Hospital where it is understood industrial-strength solvents were used to dissolve the glue.

Police said it was the second case of a strong, fast-acting glue being smeared on a seat in the same men’s toilets that day, although in the earlier incident the man had been able to get up before the glue set.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman yesterday said the elderly man, who did not want to be identified, was "pretty distressed about the whole thing".

"That sort of thing would be bad enough to go through if you were a young person but for a person of his age it must have been particularly humiliating," the spokesman said.

"I imagine having to go out like that through a major shopping centre on a Saturday morning wouldn’t have been the best and all those emergency services would have gathered a fair sort of a crowd. We covered him up as much as possible."

Cairns Police District’s Supt Brent Carter said he was "ropeable" about the thoughtless prank and appealed for public help to identify the culprit.

"I think it’s probably a prank but it’s a pretty sick sort of a joke," Supt Carter said.

"The humiliation of sitting on a toilet while emergency services are working around you trying to free you … I just feel for the man.

"Then to have to be wheeled out of the shopping centre with the toilet frame still attached to your body is just dreadful."

Shopping centre security responded to the trapped man’s calls for help from inside the men’s cubicle in ground floor toilets at the Target end of the centre, then alerted the ambulance and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokeswoman for centre management yesterday said the centre was "taking the matter very seriously" and conducting an investigation.

Supt Carter said the shopping centre had "very limited" security camera coverage and anyone who could help should call police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Meanwhile, Cairns Regional Council community safety committee chair Di Forsyth hit out at the offenders and called for members of the public to help identify them.

"I'm disgusted that a gentleman has had to go through that because someone thinks it's funny - it's a sick joke," she said. 

"I think the community would be outraged and quite rightly so ... it's quite a dangerous prank.

A 21-year-old woman has been charged with 105 counts of stealing after she allegedly went on a spree with an elderly woman's credit card.

Police allege the 21-year-old from Cooya Beach withdrew cash from ATMs over a seven-week period.

She will appear in the Mossman Magistrates Court in September.

King-hit warning

AN out-of-work plasterer, 29, who king-hit another man from behind as he waited for a cab at the Lake St rank about 3.30am on April 26 was warned by a magistrate yesterday that courts were prepared to lock up young men for street-fighting. Matthew Ronald Tomes was placed on 15 months probation and ordered to pay $300 compensation to his victim after pleading guilty in Cairns Magistrates’ Court to assault occasioning bodily harm in company.

Attack on ambo

A MAN, 33, has been placed on a three month intensive correction order for punching an ambulance officer in the head as he tended to a female patient at White Rock on July 25. Glen Stuart Ingui was sentenced in the Cairns Murri Court last week. During the incident at an Alabama Close home, Ingui had to be subdued with capsicum spray.

Jail for 500 plants.

MAN sick of scoring his joints at local pubs set about growing 500 cannabis plants of his own in a sophisticated hydroponic set-up in his Whitfield basement.

Mark Joseph McPherson, 50, pleaded guilty in Cairns Supreme Court yesterday to aggravated production of cannabis after the crop was found in three rooms of his Hillview Crescent home on July 27, 2007.

The court heard the daily dope user inheriting hydroponic equipment from former tenants and obtained four mature plants up to 1.4m with the rest of the plants at varying stages of growth.

A MAN has appeared in court after he allegedly attacked another man at the Raintrees Shopping Centre carpark at the weekend.

Bana Abel Charles Kris, 38, was charged with grievous bodily harm after an alleged assault that left a 48-year-old man in intensive care with serious head and facial injuries early Saturday.

The alleged attack happened about 1.30am in the carpark of the Raintrees Shopping Centre on Alfred St, Manoora.

He appeared in court this morning and was remanded in custody to reappear on October 12.

He did not apply for bail.

A PASSENGER has been charged after he allegedly punched a cabbie and attacked his taxi with a hammer.

Police say the 21-year-old Manunda man caught a cab from Cairns city about 1.30am on Sunday and on arrival at his home in Severin St, started arguing over the fare with the driver. 

The man allegedly punched the driver repeatedly and damaged the bonnet of the cab with a hammer. 

The offender has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and wilful damage. 

DISTURBING video of a Cairns boy being bashed in the doorway of his home has been posted on the internet, further evidence that modern bullying is designed as a spectator sport.

Brutal: A teen is bashed at his front door. The violent attack was filmed and the footage posted on the internet.

But the thugs are also cunning, with local students confirming that bullies are moving their attacks from the playground to victims’ homes to dodge school authorities and suspensions.

Child experts warn the emerging trend of "home brawls" erodes student confidence and learning, while filming the attacks compounds the effect.

Footage posted on YouTube late last month shows a local student king-hitting and repeatedly punching another teen who refused to fight.

The video, which has been viewed almost 300 times, shows a band of young men camped outside the victim's house in the early evening, daring him to step on to the street.

When the victim refused to leave his doorstep, one of the bullies launched a flurry of punches and kicks while his mate filmed the attack.

The incident is believed to have occurred near Bentley Park. A distressed resident claimed the incident was one of a string of home attacks occurring in the southern suburbs.

The child protection and investigation unit is investigating the incident, with the people involved to be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens' Association president Margaret Black said bullying had a flow-on effect from school into the home.

She said the prospect of a mother coming home to see her son set upon by thugs was "frightening".

"You'll find bullying in the schoolyard has a flow-on effect of what happens outside of school," she said.

"There needs to be support for both the bully and the bullied."

James Cook University associate Professor Frances Quirk said "home brawls" stripped students of confidence and led to depression and anxiety.

"The physical abuse at a home is an invasion of personal safety," she said.

"People view homes as a place of safety. When that space is invaded that's a big issue."

"That increases the likelihood of physical distress, depression, lowering self-esteem and the fear and embarrassment of having it on the internet, which will lead to them isolating themselves."

A Year 9 student contacted for this story said he would be depressed and discouraged to go to school if a bully attacked him at home and put it on the internet.

"To be bullied and that footage to go global definitely affects confidence … I'd feel ashamed, embarrassed and depressed," he said.

Cr Kirsten Lesina, who runs a youth engagement and action group, said anyone being bullied could contact the group on 0407 659 650 for counselling or to become a member

A GANG of teens has bashed a man over the head after demanding cigarettes.

The 49-year-old man was walking along Progress Rd, White Rock, about 6.30pm yesterday when he was approached by three male youths who demanded cigarettes from him. 

He handed over some cigarettes and was then attacked by the offenders who struck him in the head with an unknown object. 

The offenders stole the man’s cigarettes as well as a small sum of money. 

The victim sustained an injury as a result of the attack and received treatment at a medical centre. 

Police are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to contact the Cairns police station on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Endangered: Police test drivers at a roadside breath testing stop

"AN attempted homicide" is how the Far North's traffic cops have described an alleged weekend incident where a police officer was almost run down in the line of duty.

The officer was working at a random breath testing site on Trinity Beach Rd about 1am on Sunday, when a 27-year-old Trinity Beach man allegedly refused to stop.

He allegedly drove so close to the officer, his car knocked the safety torch the policeman was holding from his hands.

The man’s car was found abandoned a short time later on Trinity Beach Rd. The driver was charged by police on Sunday.

Cairns traffic branch officer-in-charge Sen-Sgt Preben Farbaek said it was unacceptable for officers to be put at such risk while performing their duties.

"When drivers fail to stop and accelerate directly at an officer it is, in our eyes, attempted homicide," he said.

"Quite often it is the drivers who are deliberately trying to avoid detection who do these stupid acts."

Sen-Sgt Farbaek said the officer involved in the alleged incident was not hurt.

"As per usual he was holding his torch and telling the driver to stop," he said.

"On this occasion (the driver) continued to drive and as a result came into contact with the torch being held by the officer."

The alleged offender surrendered to police early on Sunday morning but Sen-Sgt Farbaek said police would still urge strong action when the case came to court.

"He showed a degree of remorse but ultimately he put the officer’s life at risk," he said.

It was the second close call this year for an officer at an RBT, after a female officer had the torch knocked out of her hand at Parramatta Park in April.

Cairns traffic officer Sen-Sgt Steve Webb, who often works on RBTs in the Far North, said motorists trying to avoid being caught was common.

"We see them down the road doing a U-turn but that is why we have a car ready to go, to try and catch these people who are trying to avoid us," he said.

"I have seen it a number of times at the RBTs."

The man will appear in the Cairns Magistrates’ Court on August 28.

AFTER flooring three British tourists, each with a single "sickening" punch early yesterday, a man allegedly boasted of his fighting prowess to a friend.

He then allegedly waved down a police car and admitted his "stupid" behaviour.

Police told a Cairns Magistrates’ Court hearing yesterday that moments after the unprovoked attack near the Lake St transit mall about 2.25am yesterday, Raymond Douglas Mackedie, 21, of Mt Sheridan, allegedly was seen celebrating before going up to another man to boast "Did you see me take all three out?".

The comment was allegedly recorded on CCTV footage along with the incident, in which the three men can allegedly be seen pleading with Mr Mackedie not to attack them.

Police prosecutor Troy Sutton said the tourists did not put up a fight as Mr Mackedie allegedly "adopted a boxing stance" and punched each one to the ground.

Their injuries included a swollen jaw, a bruised and swollen eye and a bruised and swollen lip.

"He punched them without warning or provocation," Constable Sutton said.

When Mr Mackedie was picked up on Lake St he allegedly told police: "I have done something stupid. I punched someone."

Bail was refused after Constable Sutton argued Mr Mackedie was a risk of reoffending and putting the public in danger.

After his arrest, Mr Mackedie recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.084 per cent at the watchhouse and allegedly told police he had drunk a six pack of beer during the night.

He was remanded in custody.

Grocery grab: Police arrested and charged a woman for allegedly stealing these items from the Innisfail IGA store

BRAZEN shoplifters have walked out of a supermarket with trolley loads of stolen goods, two days in a row.

Toilet paper, Tim Tams, two-minute noodles and children’s crayons were among the stolen groceries, in cases that police fear could be a symptom of the harsh economic times.

In what police described as one of the most brazen shoplifting cases in memory, staff at the Innisfail IGA were told on Saturday that a woman had left with two stacked shopping trolleys, without paying.

The 33-year-old Innisfail woman was found a short distance away with items from the supermarket valued at more than $500.

The items included meat, cold goods, baby items and food, socks, crayons, toiletries, general groceries and
stationery.

She will face Innisfail Magistrates’ Court on August 17.

Yesterday morning, a 32-year-old man was charged with stealing after he allegedly tried to steal goods valued at $325 from the same shop.

The man, also from Innisfail, will also appear in court on August 17.

He was also charged with unlicensed driving.

Innisfail police district Insp Dave Tucker said the size of the haul was worrying.

He warned shop owners and staff to be vigilant.

"We have had a number of small shoplifting calls lately which are of concern to business," he said.

"But obviously the sheer size and brazenness of the woman walking out with loaded trolleys is a worry.

"She has picked a busy time and used the opportunity to walk out. Businesses have to be aware that people are going to be extremely brazen in stealing from them.

"This is not normal shoplifting."

Insp Tucker said the alleged offences could be a sign of the tough economic times.

Queensland Council of Social Services director Jill Lang said the current economic climate was driving some people to desperate measures.

"We do have places throughout Queensland that are seeing a huge increase in demand for services," she said.

A 60-year-old man allegedly threw a bottle of wine and hit a police officer in the head during a weekend street disturbance in Cairns.

The police officer was uninjured when the plastic bottle hit her in the head, spraying the contents over her face.

The incident happened yesterday afternoon in Lyons St, Cairns.

The man was arrested and charged with assaulting and obstructing police as well as a number of liquor related offences. 

He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 26.

It comes a week after another alleged assault on a female police officer in Cairns.

A fortnight ago, a man allegedly spat in the face of a Cairns dog squad officer

CAIRNS police have arrested two more people after a pack of robbers allegedly mugged a man in a Manunda park.

Police allege a 37-year-old man was assaulted and robbed of his sunglasses and a small amount of money while walking in a Lennon St park on Wednesday morning. 

Detectives have charged a 17-year-old Edge Hill man and a 16-year-old youth with committing robbery with actual violence.

Similar charges were laid against a 17-year-old Westcourt woman on Wednesday, also in relation to the alleged incident.

The two men charged yesterday will appear in court at a later date.

A PACK of robbers mugged a man in a Cairns park, demanding he hand over his sunglasses.

A 37-year-old man was walking through the Lennon St park in Manunda yesterday morning when he was approached by three people who allegedly surrounded him demanding money.

After giving the group a small sum of money they then demanded his sunglasses.

The victim refused and was allegedly assaulted by a one person in the trio before leaving the area.

Police subsequently arrested and charged a 17-year-old Westcourt woman with one count of robbery with violence while in company.

The 17-year-old is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 21

A MANOORA man has been charged after assaulting a female police officer last night.

Police were called to an incident at the Murray Street address shortly after 11pm. 

The man was being arrested by the officer in relation to another matter when he struggled violently and forced the officer to the ground, injuring her arm. 

The man was restrained and handcuffed before being transported to the watch-house. 

He has been charged with serious assault, trespass, obstructing police and also failing to appear in Court on another unrelated matter. 

The man is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on August 3.

It follows an attack on a policeman and ambulance officer a week earlier

Warned: Paul Miller is accused of pointing a laser at a rescue helicopter

THE Mareeba teenager accused of pointing a laser at a rescue helicopter in June has been told that unless he takes the matter seriously he will be thrown in jail.

Magistrate Tom Braes yesterday warned Paul James Miller to start co-operating with his solicitor or he would be remanded in custody to ensure he obtained legal advice.

The warning follows an admission made outside the court by Miller at this last appearance.

"I was bored and wanted something to do," he said.

"I'm not sorry for what I did."

Wettenhall Silva Solicitors lawyer James Barnes was yesterday forced to seek another adjournment, after a
three-week delay granted at Mr Miller’s previous appearance.

He said Mr Miller had not given him a phone number, which meant he had not been able to contact his client.

Mareeba police prosecutor Sen-Constable Karen Kroon said Mr Miller had already been before the court twice and called on him to indicate how he would plea at his third
appearance.

Police will allege Mr Miller pointed a high-intensity green laser beam at a rescue helicopter four times and was later arrested at a Mareeba service station in possession of a laser.

Mr Miller was not required to entre a plea yesterday and will re-appear before the court on August 24 on three charges.

Beenleigh District Court Judge Ian Dearden ordered Vena Dawn Bee pay John Charles Logan criminal compensation for wounding him to the chest and upper left leg at their Mareeba home, 60km southwest of Cairns, on January 26, 2006.

Bee pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm at the Mt Isa District Court, before Judge Dearden, on July 27, 2007, and was sentenced to three years jail with a parole release date of January 26 last year.

In awarding Logan compensation, Judge Dearden said the knife attack was triggered after an argument erupted when Logan made repeated and unwanted advances on Bee for sex.

"The request for sex was refused because (Bee) was tired and wanted to go to sleep," Judge Dearden said in his written findings published this week.

"There was a repeat of that request on at least one occasion.

"(Logan) then began swearing at (Bee) and then suggested that he would have intercourse with someone else."

Judge Dearden said the couple continued to argue and it escalated to a point that saw Bee pull out a knife and swing it at Logan, causing a small cut to his ear.

"After that first cut, (Logan) said words to the effect, 'If you are going to stab (me) make it a good job'." he said.

"(Logan then) lay down and (Bee) stabbed (Logan) in the chest and the left upper leg."

The court was told the knife was 33cm long, had no handle and penetrated Logan and "passed in and out of his heart."

Logan originally told police an unknown male had stabbed him, but later told them the truth as to how he received his injuries.

The court was told that when he was assessed at the Mareeba Hospital, Logan admitted to having consumed "four cartons of wine" and a "six pack of stubbies" before being stabbed.

Judge Dearden said it was clear both Logan and Bee were intoxicated at the time of the attack and that Logan had "dared" Bee to stab him.

"(Logan) effectively dared (Bee) continue with her use of the knife against him," he said.

"In the circumstances, though, I form the view that the award I have made should not be reduced because of (Logan's) role in the proceedings leading up to his stabbing."

Judge Dearden granted Logan $41,250 for the injuries, scarring and mental shock.

 A CAIRNS paramedic has allegedly been assaulted in the second attack on an ambulance officer in two weeks.

A 48-year-old Westcourt man has been charged after assaulting a paramedic in Earlville on Monday evening. 

At about 6.30pm police and Queensland Ambulance Service staff had been called to a disturbance in a Henley St park where two men had allegedly been fighting. 

A paramedic was allegedly spat on by one of the men as she was treating him. 

He was charged with seriously assaulting a public officer and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates' Court on August 14.

It comes just nine days after an Edmonton ambulance officer was allegedly punched in the head while he attempted to treat a female patient at White Rock

A Whitfield man accused of raping and murdering an 81 year old grandmother and charity worker has been remanded in custody while extensive DNA testing is carried out.

The 20-year-old man, who cannot be named under Queensland law unless committed for trial, fronted Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday on four fresh charges on top of six existing ones for separate sexual offences.

The new charges relate to the bashing death of longtime Lifeline volunteer Maria Ball as she walked from her home at Freshwater to Rusty’s Markets in the city centre about 3.30am on May 24.

The man has been charged with Ms Ball’s murder, deprivation of liberty and two counts of rape.

He appeared in court yesterday sporting a light beard and dressed in the same dirty green T-shirt and grey shorts he was wearing when he faced court on Tuesday after his arrest at Tully the previous day.

At his Tuesday court appearance only six charges had been laid against him, including two counts each of deprivation of liberty, sexual assault and assault with intent to rape in relation to alleged sexual attacks on two young women in the space of half an hour at Cairns North on April 29.

Police prosecutor Cheryl Sayer said yesterday partial briefs of evidence on the initial charges should be ready to give to defence lawyer Ken Cuthbertson by the end of September as forensic material became available.

The matters will then come back before the court for a committal mention on October 22.

"Due to the latest charges, they are serious in nature and require extensive investigation and as a result there are numerous statements as well as exhibits," Sen Constable Sayer said.

"There are also DNA exhibits that require processing and they won’t be ready for at least three months."

Mr Cuthbertson had flagged his intention to apply for bail but was thwarted when the murder charge was laid on Wednesday.

The earlier charges stem from the sexual assaults of two women, aged 26 and 19, in North Cairns on April 29

The man is alleged to have attacked a Korean woman after luring her from Grove St to a nearby creek to look at a crocodile about 5pm and a German tourist he allegedly threw to the ground and assaulted at Centenary Lakes less than 30 minutes later, after asking her if she needed a tour guide.

Victim: Maria Ball

 ACCUSED FACES COURT

Accused: Police arrest a 20-year-old Whitfield man, before charging him with the murder and rape of 81-yer-old Maria Ball

POLICE have charged a 20-year-old Whitfield man with the bashing murder of Freshwater grandmother Maria Ball and revealed for the first time the 81-year-old was raped in the attack.

Jay Christopher Grozdanovski taken back into custody yesterday

A MAN who police allege stole thousands of dollars worth of items including snakes, spiders and crocodile skins, was dramatically re-arrested after being released on bail yesterday afternoon.

Jay Christopher Grozdanovski was taken into police custody on Saturday morning after police discovered about $100,000 of allegedly stolen items including flat screen televisions, fishing equipment, a samurai sword and a cross bow at his Earlville home.

Also among the haul were 32 live tarantulas, a brown tree snake, a 1.8m-long water python and several crocodile skins.

He was granted bail in Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday morning but upon his release from the watchhouse was re-arrested on further break and enter charges relating to stolen fishing equipmen.

As he was led back into the watchhouse Mr Grozdanovski struggled with police and made a desperate dash for freedom, only to be restrained by the two female officers before reinforcements arrived.

He will reappear in court at a later date while a co-accused, Mr Grozdanovski’s housemate, will appear in court on July 27.

Police allege the stolen items were gathered through several break and enters in Cairns since October last year, including one at the Cairns Jockey Club and at least one at Australian Reptile Traders.

ART managing director Keith Cook said he was relieved to get the stolen items back, but said several other items stolen were not recovered.

"There is not a big black market, because they require permits and all that sort of stuff," he said.

"It is not an easy thing to get rid of."

Sen-Constable Russell Parker said police had cleared four recent break and enter cases by reuniting the stolen items with the rightful owners.

Laser charge: Paul James Miller acknowledges the camera as he attends court yesterday.

THIS is the teenager who is the first person in Queensland to be charged with pointing a laser at an aircraft.

Paul James Miller, 17, appeared in Mareeba Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with directing a laser beam at the Emergency Management Queensland helicopter at Mareeba on June 21.

First impressions are not that good: Bianca Tromp, 11 and her father David have only just moved to Cairns. Early on Saturday morning, Mr Tromp woke to find an intruder in his house.

WAKING up in the middle of the night with an intruder standing over your bed is the stuff of nightmares.

But it became a terrifying reality on Saturday for new Cairns resident David Tromp and his family - and has left them wondering whether a recent move from country Western Australia to the Far North was the right thing to do.

Mr Tromp said the incident had left his partner Nicole, who did not want to talk about the home invasion, traumatised

"She just wants to up and go," he said.

"She does not feel safe and with my kids going back to school she is worried about being on her own.

"Nothing like this has ever happened to us before."

Mr Tromp, who moved into his Isley St, Edmonton, house a little more than a week ago with Nicole and daughters Bianca, Tegan and Cherie, said he woke just after midnight on Saturday to find a man standing at the end of his bed.

The shocked Bobcat operator said he swore at the offender who ran out of the room after he leapt up and chased him.

But a naked Mr Tromp had to backtrack and put on some shorts.

"I then jumped in the car to try and find him," he said.

Mr Tromp said after calling 000 three police cars, including the canine unit, arrived.

Sen-Constable Russell Parker of the Cairns Crime Prevention office said the dogs picked up the scent and gave chase.

"The dog squad tracked a suspect to a nearby estate before losing the trail," he said.

"It is just unfortunate the offender got away."

The thief managed to escape with credit cards, keys and a necklace.

Mr Tromp said what made the incident even more frightening was that the intruder had clearly been in his eldest daughter's room as a new jacket had been taken from a wardrobe.

"That he had been into the room freaked everybody out," he said.

Sen-Constable Parker said while the house was locked the intruder had gained entry by lifting a sliding door off its rails.

"We would urge people if they have security screen doors to use them and key lock them rather than relying on a sliding or old-style door," he said.

It is understood a neighbour of Mr Tromp had his vehicles broken into about the same time as the
break-in.

Sen-Constable Parker said investigations were continuing.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

A TEENAGER accused of directing a laser at an emergency helicopter has been released on bail after a court appearance today.

Paul James Miller, 17, became the first person charged under Queensland's new laser laws after he allegedly targeted the pilot of a rescue helicopter near Mareeba last month.

He appeared in Mareeba Magistrates' Court today, charged with directing a laser beam at the Emergency Management Queensland helicopter in Mareeba on June 21 as well as one drug offence and one count of littering.

He was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to August 3.

Full story in the Cairns Post tomorrow.

UPDATE: Police are still seeking witnesses after the second alleged rape on a Parramatta Park street this week.

A 39-yerr old man has been remanded in custody after he appeared in Cairns Magistrates' Court this morning charged with two counts of rape, deprivation of liberty, torture and assault occasioning bodily harm.  

Police allege the man attacked a 31-year-old Cairns woman early Thursday morning on Severin St, between Anderson and Charles streets.

The court heard the two were known to each other and police have stressed the alleged attack does not appear to be random, distinguishing it from another alleged rape in Cairns earlier this week.

The woman was admitted to hospital following the alleged attack with non-life threatening injuries and was released yesterday afternoon.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward and are also interested in speaking to anyone who may have been in the area between 3am and 3.45am Thursday.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The latest alleged attack happened just two days after a a 17-year-old woman was allegedly raped in broad daylight in Upward St, Parramatta Park.

The alleged assault happened at 11am on Tuesday, with bike police quickly apprehending the alleged offender.

All in a day's work: Bike Squad officers Constable Richard Hinrichsen (left) and Constable Kristy Welsh at the scene where they chased down an alleged rapist on Tuesday afternoon.

THE recently launched police bicycle squad has made a speedy arrest after an alleged rape at Parramatta Park during broad daylight on Tuesday.

Police allege the man, who appeared in court yesterday, had sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl on Upward St, before the victim managed to scratch him on the face and call for help.

The alleged attacker fled the scene and changed his shirt but was arrested when bike squad officers patrolling the area saw him leave bushland and noticed the scratch marks.

He was charged with rape, deprivation of liberty and common assault and was yesterday remanded in custody after facing Cairns Magistrates' Court.

He cannot be named for legal reasons but the court yesterday heard the man had left a mental health facility two days before the alleged attack. 

Regional Crime co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said the 17-year-old victim was distraught after the attack but was not seriously hurt.

He said the victim and other witnesses had provided good descriptions of the alleged offender, leading to his arrest by the bike squad officers.

"Through the good work of the two officers from the new bike unit, they detected this person coming out of a bush track at the bottom end of Upward St and he was taken into custody," Det Insp Hartwell said.

"This demonstrates the effectiveness of the new bike unit working in Cairns. They are a slow-moving patrol that tends to see a bit more than a roving police car and is a bit more mobile than a foot patrol.

"It is through these good efforts that we have taken this person off the street very quickly after the offence and have him in custody."

Det Insp Hartwell said the attack was brazen.

"I understand it happened on the street, on the footpath in broad daylight. It is uncommon," he said.

"It is not something we would expect to happen in any city in Queensland, let alone Cairns.

"Obviously this person for some reason determined that he could get away with the offence at that location."

Arresting officer Constable Richard Hinrichsen said being on a bike at the time of the arrest proved extremely effective.

He said once he saw the scratches on the alleged offenders face, he knew he had located the suspect.

"As I approached him I saw the scratches on his face and became a bit more wary," he said.

"I called for the other units to come."

The man's lawyer, Steve Carter, said he would await a psychiatric assessment of his client before making a bail application

Vital link: The key to solving the violent bashing murder of Freshwater grandmother Maria Ball may be held by about 30 people who attended a nearby party on the night of the crime.

THE key to solving the violent bashing murder of Freshwater grandmother Maria Ball may be held by about 30 people who attended a nearby party on the night of the crime.

Police yesterday said they had taken more than 200 statements from witnesses and members of the community since the 81-year-old's murder in the early hours of May 24.

Regional Crime Co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said police were still interested in talking to people who were in the area at the time, including 30 people at a party a few kilometres away.

"We are still attempting to locate approximately 30 persons who may have attended a party in the Freshwater area on the night of the incident," he told The Cairns Post.

"The party was a couple of kilometres away in Freshwater. Possibly, people who left the party at that time may have seen something. From our inquiries, the majority of people who attended that party were under 25 years of age."

Det Insp Hartwell also appealed for anyone else in the area at the time to contact police.

"The police are still seeking information from any person who may have been travelling from Freshwater to Stratford between 3am and 4am that morning who may have seen a male person of indigenous appearance riding a push bike with high rise handlebars," he said.

"Police have been pleased with the response of the community in this investigation. However, they are still seeking that one vital piece of information that may assist in solving the case."

Detectives from the homicide squad in Brisbane have been in Cairns since the murder assisting the investigation.

Ms Ball was bashed and killed on her weekly walk to Rusty's Market, where she was a long time stall-holder.

Anyone with information on the murder should contact Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

BREAKING NEWS: A man who allegedly raped a teenager in broad daylight in a city street has been remanded in custody after appearing in court this morning.

The man, a 25-year-old from Edmonton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing charges of rape, deprivation of liberty and common assault.

In Cairns Magistrates’ Court the morning, his lawyer Steve Carter said he would await a psychiatric assessment of his client before making a bail application.

Police say a 17-year-old woman was sitting on a footpath in Upward St, Parramatta Park, about 11am yesterday when approached by a man who allegedly sexually assaulted her. 

The woman’s screams alerted neighbours who

A RECENT spike in armed robberies may be due to tough economic times, two leading criminologists say.

Cairns and the Far North have been hit by 10 armed robberies in the past two months, with supermarkets, taxi drivers, chemists and adult stores targeted.

Several of the offenders have been arrested although armed robberies continue to be prevalent, with the latest targeting the Edge Hill tavern early last week.

James Cook University’s criminology co-ordinator Garry Coventry said he did not think the global financial crisis was to blame for the armed robberies, but suspected it played a part.

"It would be too premature to say it was a cause-effect relationship, but I would say it plays a part," he said.

"It is very difficult to prove a link but the effect of the global fiscal crisis is making people behave in very different ways.

"The behaviour of people does change when you are under increased financial stress." Dr Coventry said often people chose to commit armed robbery when they were desperate to sustain a lifestyle they had become accustomed to.

"There is a connection between poverty and violence," he said.

"Being in a situation of poverty makes people more desperate.

"If there is a connection between poverty and violence you could argue that it will be exacerbated by a fiscal crisis."

Prof Paul Wilson, from Bond University on the Gold Coast, said he was not surprised armed robbery was spiking as times got tough.

"Yes the current (financial) crisis is certainly one of the reasons, I predicted this three months ago," he said.

"Armed robbery appeals to desperate amateurs as well as professional armed robbers.

"Many of the former are drug dependent and could turn to armed robbery when economic conditions decline."

POLICE are hunting a thief who punched a man in the face while he was sending a text message, then made off with the phone.

Police say the thief struck in the Lake St mall, Cairns, in front of the sound stage about 1.30am on Saturday.

A 19-year-old man was using his phone to text a message when he was approached and punched in the face without warning.

The blow knocked the man to the ground where he dropped his phone.

The male offender picked up the phone and ran away.

The offender is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with dark brown hair, 180cm tall with a proportionate build.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

To love and protect: Amelia Tobane, Lynette Oram and Lynisha Oram, 2, outside court yesterday. Mrs Oram was fined $450 yesterday after grabbing a fishing knife to help protect her daughter.

A MUM-of-eight who grabbed a fishing knife and rushed to her pregnant daughter's side as she was being threatened by drunks at the local shops says her actions were instinctive.

Outside Cairns Magistrates’ Court where she was fined $450 for causing a public nuisance, carrying a knife in public and running a red light, Lynette Oram said she had jumped in her car immediately her daughter called, crying and hysterical, from a phone box near the Sheridan St IGA, about 11pm on May 21.

Ms Oram said she told her daughter Amelia Tobane, who is 18 and seven months pregnant, to call the police, but did not think they would get there in time.

"I just did what I thought I had to do," she said.

"A lot of the time police don’t turn up and I didn’t want it to be too late.

"I didn’t want to go to my unborn grandchild’s funeral."

After miscarrying one of her own children during an attack in Brisbane years earlier, Ms Oram said she knew how vulnerable pregnant women can be.

"This is my daughter’s first baby. The last thing I want is for anything to happen to her," she said.

The 41-year-old grandmother, who was supported in court by her family, said she would always rush to help her children if she could, but next time would not grab a knife.

Police prosecutor Sgt Gordon Noble told the court police were called to reports of Ms Oram carrying a knife, they saw her run a red light as she was driving off from the scene.

When they pulled her over, the knife, as well as a makeshift baton, were on the car seat beside her.

Magistrate Robert Spencer told Ms Oram to let the police do their job.

"Having a knife is a very dangerous thing … things can get out of control," Mr Spencer warned.

Ms Oram, who said she did not even speak to the people who had been abusing her daughter because they left as she arrived, defended her action of standing up to them.

"I’m sick of people just thinking they can threaten females, specially pregnant ones," she said.

"My daughter had just gone down to the shop to get some groceries.

"People should be able to feel safe on the streets."

In Cairns Magistrates Court, Kevin John Chapman, 32, pleaded guilty to obstructing police and serious assault.

The incident happened on January 24 this year outside the Honeypot nightclub in Spence St, Cairns, about 3.10am.

Cairns Traffic Branch officer-in-charge Preben Farbaek says drivers just don't seem to care

"IT is scary. The drivers out there just don't give a damn."

That is the sentiment of an experienced traffic cop as he considers a potential road toll of 50 people, a figure to rank as the worst ever recorded in the Far North.

For Cairns Traffic Branch officer-in-charge Sen-Sgt Preben Farbaek it is something he and his colleagues do not like to think about, preferring instead to focus on ways to slow a road toll threatening to get out of control.

Six months into the year and the toll already stands at 23 deaths, five behind last year’s annual total and with half the year and the busy Christmas period still to come.

Sen-Sgt Farbaek said police would continue to be out in force and the courts would continue to act as a deterrent, but he said the way to slow the road toll was to change the attitude of drivers.

"There is no concern from drivers about what the consequences are," he said.

"There seems to be no consideration towards what will happen to them and their futures and there is no consideration of the families left behind if they crash and die.

"Every stakeholder must work to improve road safety but that is where we are falling down. (Some) drivers out there just don’t give a damn."

Sen-Sgt Farbaek said police figures for the year so far showed a reduction in the number of car crashes, but an increase in the number of fatalities – something he put down to drivers taking increased risks on the road.

He said police had been recording higher blood alcohol levels and detecting drivers travelling at faster speeds.

"When you crunch the numbers, our crashes are down for the year but our fatalities are up," he said.

"The risk taking is on the increase so when people are involved in crashes, there are more deaths.

"It is as if they are trying to get killed on the roads.

"If we continue how we are now, it will be 40-plus deaths for the year and that’s scary."

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said he was aware of the Far Northern road toll and said his department was determined to try to fix the problem.

"We carry out an independent investigation of fatal accidents, considering all factors such as prevailing weather, road design, visibility and driver behaviour," he told The Weekend Post.

"If the investigation establishes that any road factors are involved, we act to address these immediately."

Sen-Sgt Farbaek said police had spoken to Main Roads, politicians and local council to "get on the same page and speak the same language".

"We are working daily with Main Roads and looking at where the crashes are occurring," he said.

"In virtually every case this year, it is not the roads. It is the people using the roads."

A NORTH Queensland man who died after police stunned him with a Taser could have been hit more than 20 times.

Queensland Police say data downloaded from the Taser used on a  39-year-old Antonio Galeano in Brandon, near Townsville, showed it  operated on 28 separate cycles at the time of the incident on June 12.

In a statement, Queensland Police said they were analysing the Taser to determine how many of those 28 cycles involved the deceased.

• First Taser use in Cairns
• Police defend Taser hit
• Queensland Police Union acting president Ian Leavers said he was  baffled by the data.

"At first it was believed the man was tasered three times, now this figure that's come out is baffling," Mr Leavers said.

"I say lets get cameras on Tasers so we can be certain - it's  important we have the best available evidence when allegations of wrongdoing or excessive force are made."

He said cameras would provide footage of an event which could clarify how many times a person was tasered.

A coroner is investigating the death

 Wanted: Police believe this man was seen in the area at the time of the fatal bashing of Maria Ball

THE hunt for the killer of 81-year-old Freshwater grandmother Maria Ball has intensified as new information about a man seen riding a bike in the area at the time of the bashing was revealed.

Ms Ball was fatally bashed in the early hours of May 24 as she walked to Rusty’s Markets, where she was a long-time stall holder.

Police released a comfit of a man seen in the area at the time of Ms Ball’s bashing and later said he was seen riding an old, Malvern Star style, gold bike.

Regional Crime Co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell told The Cairns Post that further interviewing of witnesses had revealed more information about the bike.

He said police were also looking at a distinctive hat found near the scene.

"The hat is still a focus and so is the comfit," he said.

"Also with the older style Malvern Star bike, witnesses have told us it has high handlebars."

Det Insp Hartwell said police were still looking to talk to witnesses about the bashing and urged people who may have information to come forward.

"We have done video re-enactments and gained some more information, and that has helped our investigation," he said.

"But we are still looking for more assistance from the community.

"This case relies very heavily on community assistance.

"Anyone who knows even the slightest bit of information should contact police.

"That information may be the missing piece of our jigsaw."

Anyone with information should contact Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Alarm: Police pull on protective vests at the height of yesterday's drama at Atherton

A GUN scare at an Atherton school and reports of a Malanda boy wielding a knife caused high alarm on the Tableland yesterday.

The region's dramas began when three juveniles suspected of brandishing a gun forced the 30-minute lockdown of an Atherton school and a day care centre.

Police rushed to the Atherton Children's Centre on Kelly St just before 2pm after a report one of the male youths in the group was carrying a firearm. Access roads into the school and day care centre were cordoned off and parents were forced to wait at the road block while police wearing bullet-proof vests searched bushland.

Within 15 minutes, eight police officers from the Herberton and Atherton divisions had found the three youths and they were interviewed on scene.

Mareeba District Insp Rolf Straatemeier said yesterday police did not find a weapon and the three boys were released without charge.

"Police were called to the vicinity of Atherton Primary after information was received that three juveniles were nearby and there was a suggestion they could have been in possession of a firearm," he said.

"Police responded very quickly and the school was locked down."

And Malanda and Atherton police began a search late yesterday after a report a 13-year-old boy was seen wielding a knife.

The boy was found within 30 minutes of the initial report.

Police tracked him down at the town’s industrial area and he was no longer armed.

No charges were laid and the boy was taken home by police.

A WOMAN bashed unconscious in a vacant Cairns block was later found wandering by a taxi driver  
before being raced to hospital for emergency treatment.

Detectives have launched an investigation into the serious assault early Sunday morning, which comes two weeks after the as-yet unsolved murder of elderly Freshwater woman Maria Ball, which also involved a woman walking alone in the early hours.

In the latest incident, it is believed the 23-year-old woman may have been subjected to a sexual assault after she was attacked by a man near the intersection of Martyn and Gatton streets, Parramatta Park, between 1am and 2am.

Police said the woman was on her way home when she was grabbed from behind and dragged to a vacant block of land before she was allegedly assaulted and punched in the face and knocked unconscious.

Regional Crime Co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said police were continuing interviews with nearby residents in a bid to find witnesses.

"A resident reported to police that he heard a female screaming out about 1.30am on Sunday," Det Insp Hartwell said

"He came in to the police station the following morning to report this. Police
attended and located some of the woman’s possessions on the vacant allotment," he said.

Police said a taxi driver who was driving along Martyn St found the woman in a disorientated state and drove her to the Cairns Base Hospital for medical treatment.

"While police were at the hospital in relation to another matter, they saw the complainant who was waiting for treatment," Det Insp Hartwell said.

"She had suffered numerous abrasions and a fractured left cheek bone."

Why do they do it?

This unwanton damage to a phone in Marchant St, Manoora shows the lack of intelligents from some of our teenagers.

This phone may be needed for an emergency - an emergency that could involve members of your family

A MAN accused of using a knife to rob the Liberated adult shop in Sheridan St was granted bail yesterday.

Bradley John Chapman, formerly of Cooktown, was not required to enter a plea when he appeared in Cairns Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

He faces one count of robbery with violence while armed and one of possessing dangerous drugs.

Police prosecutor Troy Sutton opposed bail on the grounds the charges were serious and the psychological harm suffered by the victims of the  alleged robbery.

Mr Chapman’s lawyer Steve Carter said his client had co-operated with police.

Magistrate Katherine McGinness allowed Mr Chapman conditional bail.

The matter was adjourned until July 15 for committal mention.

Cleaver waved

A MAN who allegedly waved a meat cleaver at a person walking near a restaurant in Cairns on Friday night has been charged with public nuisance and possession of a knife in public. It is alleged the man waved the knife soon after midnight and was seen walking along Shields St, where he was again seen waving the cleaver above his head. He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates’ Court on June 15.

Vehicles break-ins

POLICE are investigating a spate of vehicle break-ins at Redlynch between 11pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday. It is believed that two males – one described as being about 180cm tall, with dark brown hair and a slim build, the second is 175cm tall, with dark brown hair and a solid build — were disturbed by the occupants at one home about 3.30am on Saturday. Police said vehicles parked in Daphne, Pepperwood and Regent streets were targeted. Property and valuables were taken from vehicles.

 

Sorely missed: Maria Ball, 81, was bashed to death at Stratford on Sunday morning

MOTORISTS who drove past a crime scene could hold the key to the bashing death of 81-year-old Maria Ball, detectives say.

Security footage from a Freshwater shop shows at least 20 vehicles drove past the area at Kamerunga Rd around the time the elderly woman was attacked early on Sunday morning.

Regional Crime co-ordinator Det Insp John Hartwell said two of the drivers had already been tracked down and interviewed and police were keen to speak with other motorists.

He said they could have vital information about the crime.

"At least 20 vehicles drove up and down Kamerunga Rd between 3am and 4am," he said.

"We are appealing for these motorists to come forward."

Few clues have emerged since the murder investigation started.

Two detectives from the State Homicide Squad flew into Cairns late on Sunday night to help search for the killer.

An image of a distinctive cap found at the scene of the bashing has also been released in the hope someone might have seen it before or knows to whom it belongs.

The black cap carries the slogan "United By Fate" and has images of syringes on it.

Police believe it belongs to the person responsible for the attack.

Witnesses reported seeing a man near the scene on Kamerunga Rd about 3.30am Sunday, the time when Ms Ball was attacked on her weekly walk to Rusty's Markets where she was a long-time stall holder.

The man is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, 178-182cm tall with short black hair and loose curls.

He was wearing a dark, collarless, long-sleeve T-shirt and dark, baggy jeans.

Rusty's Markets manager Dave Warner said Ms Ball had a long association with the markets and would be missed.

"Maria could have showed you 25 years of receipts, she has been coming here since Rusty the man was here," he said.

"I think this week there will be a bit of sorrow felt within the market because everyone knew her. She will be sorely missed."

Mr Warner said while Ms Ball did sell lemons at the markets, her main focus was selling pre-loved goods for Lifeline, where she had volunteered for more than 20 years.

"She used to sell some pre-loved goods from Lifeline," he said.

"The lemons were just what she grew at home and she would sell them on the side.

"But she mostly sold bric-a-brac and things like that.

"Any money she earned at the markets was a bonus and was put back into the community."

Mr Warner said he was aware no money was stolen from Ms Ball during the bashing but if the offender was looking for cash he would not have found much, with Ms Ball only ever carrying the $23 table fee when she walked to the markets.

Ms Ball's family flew to Cairns on Sunday, but was too upset to talk about the situation yesterday.

Victim: 81-year-old Cairns woman, Maria Ball.

A BASEBALL cap could hold the key to the bashing death of an 81-year-old woman at Freshwater at the weekend.

Well-known charity worker and fruit-seller Maria Ball died in Cairns Base Hospital late Sunday night, several hours after she was found unconscious near railway tracks along Kamerunga Rd.

Ms Ball had set out on her regular Sunday walk to Rusty's Markets in the CBD to sell home-grown lemons.

Police have released an image of a black baseball cap found at the crime scene in a bid to track down Ms Ball's attacker.

The cap carries a slogan "United By Fate" and has images of syringes.

A man, of Aboriginal appearance, 178-182cm tall, with short black hair with loose curls, was seen in the area about the time Ms Ball was bashed.

He was wearing a dark, collarless, long-sleeve T-shirt and dark, baggy jeans.

Anyone with information on the attack or the cap should call Cairns police on 4030 7000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Bashing victim mourned

Clue: Police believe this cap may help their investigation into the death of Cairns woman, Maria Ball

POLICE have released CCTV footage of a man they think can help them in their investigations into a robbery at a Westcourt Chemist on Sunday.

Just before midday, a man entered the front door of the Amcal Chemist shop on Mulgrave Rd and approached a female employee.

He told her it was a holdup and demanded drugs from the safe. 

He was given a key and he unlocked the safe and took a quantity of drugs and left the store. 

No weapon was seen during the incident and no one was injured.

He is described as Caucasian, around 177cm tall with a proportionate build. 

He was wearing dark blue long workpants and a long-sleeved dark-coloured shirt, a blue beanie and silver reflective sunglasses.

Anyone with information that could assist police with their investigations should contact Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A GROUP of five men dressed in balaclavas and dark clothes attacked three people with metal bars at a Woree unit last night, Cairns police alleged this morning.

A 26-year-old resident of the Mulgrave Rd address was taken to hospital with a head wound following the alleged attack, which happened at about 9.45pm yesterday.

A 20-year-old flatmate and a visitor, also aged 20, sustained bruising and swelling to the legs and back, police said.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

AN Edmonton man has been charged after allegedly threatening to burn down his house and harm people at about 11pm yesterday.

Police were called to Ravizza Drive, Edmonton, where a man, carrying a knife, allegedly threatened police and a man on the street.

The man was arrested without incident and charged with possession of a knife in public, obstructing police and public nuisance.

He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 19.

Murder probe: The search for clues continues into the bashing death of an 81-year-old woman at Stratford

THE victim of Sunday morning's fatal bashing at Stratford was a community minded charity worker who was the victim of an opportunistic and senseless attack.

Maria Ball, 81, died in hospital on Sunday night surrounded by her distraught family, who had rushed to Cairns to be with her.

She was attacked early Sunday morning during her weekly walk to Rusty’s Markets where she had a stall.

Police yesterday revealed the long-time Freshwater resident was not robbed in the bashing, with her carry bag and money found nearby.

"It would appear to us at this stage it was more than likely an opportunistic crime," Det Insp John Hartwell said.

"Someone happened to be there at the same time she was walking along the road, resulting in the attack on the victim.

"We are certain that robbery was not a motive because of the fact the victim’s carry bag and money were located at the scene."

Det Insp Hartwell said Ms Ball did not have excessive injuries and while the results of an autopsy are yet to be finalised, it appeared she suffered head trauma.

"There is very little evidence of assault on the victim," he said.

"We believe it was some type of head trauma which resulted in her death.

"At this stage, from information we have received from witnesses, indicates a male voice with the victim and the sound of slapping.

"It would appear the victim suffered some type of assault leading up to her death.

"It is a murder investigation."

Shocked neighbours yesterday told The Cairns Post of their grief upon hearing the news of Ms Ball’s death.

"She was a nice, lovely old lady," Jasmine Maunsell, who had lived next door to Ms Ball for a year, said.

"We used to have little chats all the time."

Neighbour Margaret Askew said the Freshwater community was rocked by news of the attack.

"She was an institution in herself, an incredible lady," she said.

Ms Ball was also a long-time volunteer at Lifeline Earlville.

The shop on Mulgrave Rd was shut yesterday afternoon, a note on the door citing staff bereavement as the reason.

A Lifeline spokeswoman told The Cairns Post Ms Ball was much loved throughout the organisation and was always willing to give her time for the benefit of others.

Det Insp Hartwell said several witnesses had been interviewed since the attack, but a suspect was yet to be
identified.

A distinctive hat was found at the scene of the bashing and it is now being analysed.

"It is a concern to us that an elderly citizen of the community, 81 years of age, was assaulted," Det Insp Hartwell said.

"It’s a concern it has resulted in her death.

"The family of the victim are quite traumatised by the situation."

Ms Ball was a long-time Cairns resident of Italian heritage.

 THEY'RE HERE: Former KKK Grand Imperial Wizard Johnny Lee Clary in Perth. He says Klan violence is not limited to the US.

Speaking from Arkansas, Thomas Robb, the US national director of the major Klan faction, The Knights Party, told The Sunday Times that the group -- infamous for murders and violence against African- Americans -- was in Perth and other major Australian cities.

``We have members in Sydney, around Melbourne and Perth (and) Darwin,'' Mr Robb said in a phone interview this week.

Mr Robb, who hosts what the KKK boasts to be ``the world's first and only white pride internet TV show'', would not confirm numbers or details of Australian members because Klan rules prohibit him from doing so.

But his claims were backed by a former national KKK leader, Johnny Lee Clary, who quit the Klan in 1989 and is now an internationally renowned anti-racism campaigner who regularly advises US and other law-enforcement agencies about the group.

Mr Clary warned that the KKK and other white-supremacist groups were actively recruiting in WA and said even Perth high school students knew KKK members.

He had toured WA since 1999 and people regularly told him about local KKK members after he gave motivational speeches at WA churches and schools.

``I know that the Ku Klux Klan is in Western Australia. I know that they're in the Perth area,'' he said in Perth this week.

``The National Front is here, I know that the Nazi Party is here. I've talked to people here and they've said to me `I know so and so, that belongs to the Klan'.''

Disturbingly his latest report of KKK activity had come from children when visiting a school in Rockingham about a week ago.

``I said `How many in here have ever met somebody from the Ku Klux Klan?' and three kids have raised their hands,'' he said.

His previous experiences and research about the KKK in WA convinced him the children were serious.

Mr Clary, 49, who was Grand Imperial Wizard, or national boss, of the militant White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan before he quit, said WA should take very seriously the threat of having local Klan members.

``People who join the Klan are prone to commit violence,'' said Mr Clary, who during an interview with talk-show host Andrew Denton in 2005, admitted burning an African- American priest's church.

``Almost everyone in the Klan threatens and intimidates people.''

Mr Clary said the Klan's violent activities were not limited to the US.

``I was told by police that Klansmen were involved in Cronulla,'' he said. ``They got out there and rallied the people, and got them out there fighting.

``That's the sort of thing you in WA should worry about.

``All one has to do is look at the record of the Ku Klux Klan in America. It's a record of violence, beatings, lynchings, burnings and murders.''

The economic downturn would make recruitment easier for such groups.

``This man's hurting, he doesn't know how going to pay his bills and feed his family,'' Mr Clary said.

``The Ku Klux Klan comes along and says, `Australia is letting all these immigrants come in here and they're taking your jobs and the Asians are buying up everything'.

``I'm ashamed of it, but that's how I recruited people when I was leader.''

Mr Clary said he would be saddened if authorities believed the latest information was ``not a big deal'' and ignored it until something terrible happened.

``By God, it only took one card-carrying member, Timothy McVeigh, to blow up that federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995 and that killed 168 people,'' he said.

Police Minister Rob Johnson promised to act on the information from The Sunday Times investigation.

``I will be discussing this matter with WA police and I have every confidence that if this group breaks any laws in WA, they will be dealt with severely,'' Mr Johnson said.

Police said they were not aware of any ``upsurge'' in KKK activity and that the Klan, like similar groups, was monitored by police.

The revelations of local KKK members follow the arrest last week of Maylands man Brendon O'Connell, 38, who was charged under racial vilification laws for allegedly posting anti-Semitic videos on YouTube.

Opposition multicultural interests spokesman John Hyde said he was appalled to discover the depth of white-supremacist activity in Perth since reporting the YouTube allegation to police.

Mr Hyde said he would examine potential amendments to WA's anti-vilification laws to ensure multicultural West Australians could live peacefully.

Mr Robb denied the KKK _ which can be joined online _ was promoting violence against, or hatred of, non-whites.

He blamed a few bad people and propaganda for the Klan's negative image.

The KKK was merely protecting ``white people's right to love their heritage and culture'', he said.

Ethnic Communities Council of WA president Ramdas Sankaran said racist elements in Australia had been strengthened ``thanks to the demonisation of religious and ethnic minorities'' by former prime minister John Howard and his senior colleagues.

Do you know of any KKK members or recruiters in Queensland?

 CAIRNS police have found an ATM skimming device operating at a bank in the CBD.

The device was found fitted to a Commonwealth Bank ATM in Lake St about 1.30pm on Saturday and was seized by police, who also cordoned off the ATM.

It is not known how long the device was operating before it was found.

The device was designed to blend in with the ATM, which was also fitted with a camera.

It is the second time an ATM skimmer has been found in Cairns, with a similar device found by police at a Westpac ATM at Manunda in January.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Cairns CIB on 4030 7153 Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

Probe: Exterior of Innisfail prison work camp

SECURITY is being reviewed at Innisfail's prison work camp after investigations into claims prisoners enjoyed pornography and a guard took payments for inmates' labour.

Police Minister Neil Roberts has confirmed security procedures are under the spotlight and a new supervisor had been appointed since police seized contraband and began investigating claims an officer took cash for unauthorised work undertaken by prisoners.

Mr Roberts would not comment on the nature of security issues.

But The Cairns Post understands there are allegations prisoners enjoyed pornography, mobile telephone calls and unsupervised use of a work camp vehicle to roam the district.

A dozen "low-risk" prisoners at a time live at the work camp, in a former mill men’s quarters on the northern outskirts of Innisfail.

Mr Roberts said investigations were still under way into alleged misconduct by a staff member at the camp. The employee is believed to now be working at Lotus Glenn prison near Mareeba.

The investigation was being undertaken by the police-run Corrective Services Investigation Unit and involved a "range of issues" including allegations of unauthorised payments, a spokesman said.

Police raided the work camp in February and sent three prisoners back to Lotus Glenn after finding contraband.

One of the prisoners, Steven Lionel Balnaves, 33, received a two-month suspended sentence in March after pleading guilty to possessing a mobile telephone at the Innisfail work camp.

Balnaves told the Innisfail Magistrate’s Court he kept the phone – given to him by his wife during a meeting at Innisfail’s McDonald’s restaurant on a shopping day – in a toolbox at the Innisfail racecourse. He had the phone for four days before it was found.

Yesterday, Mr Roberts said the independent chief inspector of prisons was scrutinising the Innisfail work camp "as part of a statewide review" to security arrangements.

When next: Sen-Constable Toni Ryan who was part of the police inquiries team. Picture: CHRIS HYDE

A SHAKEN Cairns pharmacist who has been the victim of two previous armed hold-ups told yesterday how she was threatened by a brazen robber while a family with children stood metres away. 

Police are hunting a man who held-up the Cairns Day-Night Pharmacy on Mulgrave Rd about noon, demanded keys to the safe and escaped with secured medication.

Chemist manager Trent Twomey said the robber told the business’s female pharmacist he had a weapon.

"He went directly to her, threatened he had a weapon and then asked where the safe was and demanded the keys," Mr Twomey said.

It was the third time the Westcourt pharmacy has been held up in the past year. Shaken staff were interviewed by police yesterday afternoon.

Mr Twomey said the man had been covered up with a beanie, aviator-style silver-framed reflective sunglasses and dark clothes. He was believed to be of Caucasian appearance, and in his late 20s or early 30s.

Three staff members and a family with young children had been in the pharmacy when it was held up, he said.

"We’re disappointed – this is the third time in 12 months despite us doing everything we can to increase security," he said.

"We’ve also decreased stock on hand so it’s not worthwhile for them (robbers) but this is still happening … and it really shakes up our staff."

He praised his fellow workers for being calm under pressure.

"He never showed a weapon but he threatened he had one … staff did exactly what they should have, handed over the keys and handled the situation perfectly," Mr Twomey said.

Police media released a description of the man that also included his being about 177cm tall and wearing King-Gee-type long blue trousers and a long-sleeved work shirt.

They said he also carried a small bag and had entered and left through front door.

Anyone with information about the hold-up can call crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A GLIMPSE of a fleeing suspect remains the only clue in the brutal bashing death of an 81-year-old fruit seller.

A police spokesman said the woman died in Cairns Base Hospital last night after she was assaulted yesterday morning while walking from her Freshwater home to Rusty’s Markets in the CBD.

Police and paramedics found her unconscious near railway tracks on Kamerunga Rd, near Passchendaele St, after residents reported the attack about 3am.

A bag, a tea cup and lemons lay scattered inside an 80m-long crime scene cordon which forensic officers combed for clues yesterday.

The Far North’s Det Insp John Hartwell said the woman, who always wore a reflector safety jacket on her trek into the city, was well-known at Freshwater.

"She was carrying the lemons to the markets," he said.

"She has a stall there.

"She’s walked from her home to Rusty’s every Saturday and Sunday for a long time. A lot of the time taxi drivers will see her walking and give her a lift into town at no charge."

He described the bashing as random and savage, saying police were "incensed" by the crime.

"It’s a cowardly attack on an older member of our community," Det Insp Hartwell said.

"We suspect that this is an opportunistic crime."

The woman’s family flew into Cairns late yesterday to be by her side in the intensive care unit.

Det Insp Hartwell said
witnesses reported seeing a man of Aboriginal appearance walking towards Freshwater after hearing the assault taking place.

He was 178-182cm tall with a skinny build and short black hair with loose curls.

He wore a dark coloured collarless, long sleeve T-shirt and dark baggy jeans.

Police made an urgent appeal for more witnesses after investigations yesterday generated no leads

Crime scene: Police search an area of train tracks near Aeroglen Drive and Lower Freshwater Rd to investigate an assault

AN 81-year-old woman is in a critical condition after being found unconscious at Stratford early this morning.

Police believe she was brutally bashed near the railway line along Kamerunga Rd.

Officers found her about 3.30am and have established a crime scene where she was found.

Detectives are interviewing nearby residents.

If you have any information on this senseless attack please call Crimestoppers now on 1800333000

Busted: Four teenagers have racked up more than 80 charges after allegedly embarking on a car break-in spree at Redlynch and Brinsmead.

Teenagers have racked up more than 80 charges after allegedly embarking on a car break-in spree at Redlynch and Brinsmead.

Two boys, 14, and a 13-year-old were charged after police arrested them on Wednesday.

Another boy, 16, was arrested and charged on Thursday.

All four have faced court on the charges, with three remaining in custody and one granted bail.

Cairns Child Protection and Investigation Unit Det Sen-Sgt Glenn Horan said each of the boys had been charged with at least 20 offences, mostly break-ins of vehicles in outer west suburbs.

One of the 14-year-olds also was charged with the robbery of a female Korean tourist in the inner-city on Tuesday night while the 16-year-old was charged with 19 offences related to the break and enter of vehicles.

Det Snr-Sgt Horan said all the boys were known to police.

The four were arrested as part of Operation Beam, a CPIU operation launched in April. The campaign has been credited for clearing up about 200 property-related crimes.

"These will be an additional 60 or 80 charges on top of that," Det Sen-Sgt Horan said. The operation is connected to another successful Far Northern police initiative, Operation Benchmark, which has resulted in more than 400 charges being laid since its launch in March.

Det Sen-Sgt Horan said while the arrests were a good result, people should still ensure their vehicles were locked at all times.

"People must make sure their cars are secure because there are opportunistic thieves around and they will go for easy targets," he said.

It was the second time juveniles have been charged with break and enter offences in the Far North in a week, after police charged two 14-year-old with 25 break and enter offences each following a series of crimes at Earlville.

A third suspect, a 19-year-old woman, is also wanted in relation to those crimes, mostly committed on Ishmael Rd.

Anyone with information on property crime in the Far North should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

POLICE are hunting a man who robbed and assaulted a bus driver last night.

Police say the suspect got on a bus about 10.40pm at the intersection of Enmore and Jenson streets, Manunda. He paid the driver and sat down.

A short time later when the bus stopped at the Raintrees Shopping Centre the passenger approached the driver and had a short conversation with him.

When the driver turned back around the man punched him to the side of his face.

The man grabbed the cash tin containing a sum of money and ran off the bus along Keeble St.

The man is described as being of Torres Straight Islander appearance, around 176cm tall with a heavy build and short dark brown hair.  He was wearing a T-shirt and boardshorts.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000

TWO sisters aged six and nine were raped by older cousins while their parents sat outside the house getting drunk, a Cairns court has heard.

Details of the alleged double-rape in the bedroom of a home at Hope Vale, north of Cooktown, were heard during a trial in the Cairns District Court yesterday.

A 20-year-old man, who was 12 at the time of the alleged offence and cannot be named, is standing trial for raping the younger girl.

The alleged rapes in early 2001 only came to light two years ago when the older sister spoke out.

During the first day of a trial, expected to conclude tomorrow, the jury was shown a taped interview with the younger sister who said she had been "too scared" to tell anyone what happened.

Although very withdrawn, the girl spoke of seeing her sister lying "belly down" with the older cousin on top of her. "She was trying to sing out to my mum," she said.

"I tried to pull (boy’s name) off her … he pushed me back."

In her opening statement, Crown prosecutor Gelma Meoli said the young sisters had gone to their cousins’ house so the parents could drink together and as it started getting late were told to go inside and watch TV with the boys.

"Well