Backpack girl stab horror suspect ‘was on cannabis’

A MAN accused of murdering a British girl backpacker in Australia will appear in court today by videolink after being deemed too violent to stand in the dock.

Last night it emerged that Smail Ayad, accused of repeatedly stabbing 21-year-old Mia Ayliffe-Chung in a Queensland backpacking hostel, had been smoking cannabis before the alleged attack.

In his final postings on Facebook, French kickboxer Ayad predicted he would soon die.

Arresting officers had to use a Taser and pepper spray on the Frenchman, 29, who bit one officer on the leg.

In court in Townsville, Queensland, today Ayad will be accused of murdering Miss Ayliffe-Chung and the attempted murder of Tom Jackson, 30, who tried to save her.

He will also be accused of 12 assaults, including attacks on police. Miss Ayliffe-Chung, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, was killed in a frenzied knife attack as she lay in bed on Tuesday.

Mr Jackson, from Congleton, Cheshire, was seriously injured as he tried to defend her.

It is thought he was stabbed repeatedly in the face and head.

Another British backpacker, Chris Porter, from Kent, jumped out of a second-storey window to escape. He is in hospital being treated for injuries to both ankles.

Police praised the efforts of the backpackers, employees and police who ran to the aid of the pair, calling them “incredibly brave”.

Tributes continued to pour in yesterday for Miss Ayliffe-Chung, who went to work on a farm near the hostel so she could extend her visa to stay in Australia.

Her cousin Aoife Walsh wrote on Facebook: “She was a free spirit. She lived every day to the fullest.”

Police discounted any religious motive although Ayad, from Marseille, had shouted “Allahu akbar” during the attack.