Ipswich court told of death threats

Read the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper replica no matter where you are, when it’s convenient to you on mobile or desktop

Download the Gold Coast Bulletin app and access breaking local, national, world and sport news

Join our newsletter mailout for the latest Gold Coast news emailed to your inbox every morning and throughout the day as it happens

Death threats towards a “particular segment of the community” have allegedly been circulating on social media since a 16-year-old boy was charged with murdering a 70-year-old grandmother, a court has been told.

Vyleen White was allegedly stabbed in the chest in Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre’s underground carpark about 6pm on Saturday.

A Bellbird Park boy was arrested on Monday and has since been charged with one count of murder, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of stealing.

Acting magistrate Robert Turra rejected applications made by media organisations, including NCA NewsWire, to cover the normally closed court proceedings in the Ipswich Children’s Court on Tuesday.

The 16-year-old’s solicitor, Abbey Huckstep, told the court there had already been “online vitriol” and death threats circulating since the alleged murder and her client could face prejudice if the media application was granted.

“Despite the best efforts of certain publications to report in a way that is fair and balanced, that has not been the case so far in terms of every publication.”

Mr Turra said while he understood the “issues with the importance of open justice” and the significant public interest in the case, there had been concerns about images released by police before the teens were arrested that continue to circulate online.

“Notwithstanding the public interest, I find the media presence would be prejudicial to the child and the application is refused. Court is closed.”