New lead in stab case

Video released as police seek public help

CAIRNS police have released CCTV footage of two men suspected of the alleged attempted robbery and stabbing of a Westcourt man in 2014.

They hope to galvanise public help in catching the men, who detectives suspect may have fled interstate.

“The footage gives an indication of the direction the offenders ran,” Detective Sergeant Adrian Worth of Cairns CIB said. “It may tweak somebody’s memory for them to say ‘I remember that day, I remember that person”.

Operation Mike Tesani has been running since the incident at Curtin St, Westcourt, on October 9, 2014, when a then 60-year-old man and his son arrived home and encountered a man armed with a knife in their yard.

The man threatened the then 12-year-old boy with the knife and a scuffle ensued between the 60-year-old and the armed offender.

During the course of the scuffle, the offender stabbed the man repeatedly before fleeing the scene on foot.

The offender was last seen running along Creedy St then Gatton St.

“We would like a final push to try to get other people in the community to come forward and help us,” Det Sgt Worth said.

He said a tip from the public had led police to pursue the cold case investigation interstate to find “key persons of interest”.

“We’re now looking further afield and have sought the assistance our police colleagues in the southern states,” Det Sgt Worth said.

It is believed the assailants knew their victim.

“It was a planned attack,” Det Sgt Worth said.

“They were either counselled to have that knowledge (of the victim) or they had that knowledge.”

He said police were confident of a swift resolution.

“We have never let this one go,” Det Sgt Worth said.