Coles alleged stabbing twist as shocking details emerge

The alleged stabbing by a 13-year-old boy of a random Coles worker who was stocking a fridge has exposed a major loophole in Queensland’s new ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws.

The teenager is accused of taking a knife from the supermarket at the Yamanto Shopping Center in Ipswich, south-west of the city Brisbanee, and the stabbing of Coles duty manager Claudia Campomayor Watt, 63, at around 5.20pm on Monday.

Madam Campomayor was taken to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital in a critical condition with the knife still in her back.

On Thursday, her family confirmed she had been moved out of intensive care, is no longer sedated and has been able to communicate with loved ones.

It is claimed the boy tried to flee but was held by shoppers and security guards until police arrived.

He was charged with attempted murder on Tuesday morning and no application was made for his bail at Ipswich Children’s Court. His case will be heard again on February 25.

Queensland Police do not believe the 13-year-old boy and Ms Campomayor had any interaction before the alleged stabbing.

The alleged random attack was deja vu for many Queenslanders as the latest crime scene was just a 20-minute drive from where grandmother Vyleen White was allegedly murdered by a juvenile delinquent in February 2024.

Claudia Campomayor (pictured) was allegedly stabbed in the back by a 13-year-old boy while working at Coles

Police arrested the teenager (pictured in blue) at the Yamanto Shopping Center in Ipswich, southwest of Brisbane

Police arrested the teenager (pictured in blue) at the Yamanto Shopping Center in Ipswich, southwest of Brisbane

However, their reignited fear quickly turned to anger after they learned that the “adult crime, adult time” laws introduced by Prime Minister David Crisafulli did not include attempted murder.

Crisafulli’s Law, which was central to the Liberal Party’s election manifesto, came into effect on December 13 after public outcry over the low penalties for children who commit violent crimes.

The changes introduced a mandatory minimum sentence of life imprisonment for murder and increased maximum sentences for twelve other crimes – excluding attempted murder.

Mr Crisafulli defended the exemption, saying “more changes” to the laws were already in the works.

“Let’s see the (Yamanto) investigation… what happens with the charges in the coming days,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“We’ve made the changes we made in the election, and I said that would be the first step. There will be more changes to the Youth Justice Act, and more.

The boy is said to have stabbed Ms Campomayor at around 5.20pm on Monday with a knife recovered from the Coles.

The boy is said to have stabbed Ms Campomayor at around 5.20pm on Monday with a knife recovered from the Coles.

Ms Campomayor (pictured) was rushed to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital with the knife still in her back

Ms Campomayor (pictured) was rushed to Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital with the knife still in her back

“I have already indicated that we are putting together an expert panel to implement future changes.”

Rebecca Fogerty, a criminal defense attorney, said The Australian there was ‘no logical basis’ for including non-violent crimes such as unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the new laws, but not attempted murder.

“This distressing case is a classic example of why slogans don’t work when it comes to criminal justice,” she said.

‘The laws do not act as a deterrent, the prospect of higher penalties does nothing to reduce crime.’

Mr Crisafulli assured Queenslanders he would work hard to reduce youth crime.

“It’s just so traumatic, what has unfolded is something that no Queenslander wants to see,” he said.

“I think this incident has happened so close and within a year of what we saw happen to Vyleen White, and there’s a sense of deja vu; it’s exactly the kind of incident Queenslanders are fed up with.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has defended his extended sentences for juvenile offenders, which include no convictions for attempted murder

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has defended his extended sentences for juvenile offenders, which include no convictions for attempted murder

“My resolve is as strong as ever, and I want Queenslanders to know how much we understand that incidents like this simply shake up the fabric of who we are, and that a close-knit community like this can overcome the trauma of a year ago have to experience again. and that includes the White family, as well as the family involved in this incident.”

White’s daughter Cindy Micallef called for more police and security guards to patrol shopping centers during school holidays.