Government youth crime policies a joke: Beasley

THE father of Gold Coast teen Jack Beasley killed at the hands of a group of youths has slammed the state government’s stance on juvenile crime as “crazy”.

Brett Beasley’s frustration comes after Hemmant man, Michael Warburton, 59, became the fifth Queenslander to die in less than two years after being the victim of a crash involving juveniles in allegedly stolen vehicles.

“It was sickening. It was absolutely sickening,” he said.

“(What) is it going to take for our Queensland government to pull their fingers out and do something about (youth crime)?”

Mr Beasley's son Jack Beasley was killed after being stabbed in the chest on a night out in Surfers Paradise in December 2019. Earlier this year a teen – who was 15 at the time – pleaded guilty to murder and a second teen – who was 17 at the time – pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Three other teens were acquitted after an eight-day trial.

Since Jack’s death, Mr Beasley (pictured) and his wife, Belinda, have become advocates against the rise in youth crime.

They have started the Jack Beasley Foundation which aims to educate youth of the dangers of carrying a knife and pushed to start a wanding trial which allows police officers to use hand held metal detectors in Surfers Paradise.

Mr Beasley said harsher penalties were needed to deter juveniles from dangerous behaviour.

“Kids need to be to taught a lesson in real harshness,” he said.

“They need to come down like a ton of bricks and stop this.

“It’s out of control.

“If we don’t stop it now, it’s just going to keep snowballing and it’s going to be out of control.

“It’s crazy.”

Mr Beasley gave his condolences to Mr Warburton’s family, especially the children.