Woman stabbed at illegal house party

AN illegal house party ended in devastation when a young woman was allegedly stabbed by her partner, and needed critical care.

Emergency services were called to the Easterbrook Crescent home in Kirwan just after 6am yesterday following reports of a stabbing.

Paramedics treated the 18year-old for stab wounds to her abdomen before taking her to Townsville University Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

District Duty Officer Acting Sergeant Robert Dusha said a party had been under way with multiple people at the home at the time of the incident.

The young woman’s partner, an 18-year-old male had already fled the scene, prompting an additional eight units to be called to track him down.

“There was some sort of party or gathering at the residence where we found the (injured) female,” Sgt Dusha said.

“There was a sighting of the alleged offender at Greg Jabs Drive (in Mount Louisa), in scrubland behind Bunnings,” Sgt Dusha said. “And with some quick police work we were able to apprehend him. The male’s fast movements weren’t as good as the cordons he attempted to breach.”

An 18-year-old Mount Louisa man has been charged with wounding (domestic violence offence) and is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court today.

Mandy Thompson of the North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Centre said while she couldn’t comment on specific cases, any domestic and family violence related assaults couldn’t be tolerated. “It shocks me to hear about this every time and I hope this young woman is OK,” Ms Thompson said.

“We’ll continue to fight to stop domestic and family violence and our sector lives in hope that we will see a change in our community.”

Ms Thompson said there had been an increase of help sought for domestic and family violence since the start of COVID-19 restrictions and pleaded for people to continue reaching out.

“We want people who are behaving in ways that are hurting people they love to reach out – there’s no shame in reaching out for help.”

The 18-year-old woman remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Sgt Dusha said although the gathering was likely to be in breach of strict COVID-19 social distancing measures, given the nature of the incident no charges were laid in relation to them.

“She was in a pretty serious condition (and) our policing priority was protection of life,” he said.