Mum says Esplanade not safe after teen son was allegedly stabbed

FROM PAGE 1

“So I tried to calm down, and I said to him: ‘Cody, go’.”

Ms Siepker pushed Mr Newman out of the way, and the man fled.

A crowd of 20-30 witnesses approached the shocked pair and told them to go to the hospital and contact the police immediately. Less than an hour after the attack, the police apprehended the alleged attacker.

Mr Newman, who struggles with so- cial anxiety, has been significantly affected by the alleged attack, which has led him to feel unsafe going out.

“Erica helps me find a reason to get out into the community and getting me comfortable with that,” he said.

“That day when the man was in my view, I thought he had just grabbed me or pushed me. I didn’t feel the stab, Erica pushed me out of the way, and when I turned, she had fallen to the ground. I didn’t even know he was addressing us until he stabbed me. I’ve always been very anxious going outside, and this was my first outing with Erica, and now just walking around, I see everyone as a possible threat.

“I feel like I have to create an escape plan which makes me even more uncomfortable than before.”

Mr Newman’s mother, Emma Newman, said the event had completely changed her perspective on safety in the CBD. “I was at home when Cody phoned me and asked if I could meet him at the hospital. He said he had been stabbed. It’s the kind of call you never want to receive as a parent,” she said.

“This has changed my perception of safety in the CBD. I don’t have as much faith in the safety of the Esplanade.

“Erica did an amazing job protecting Cody, so I want to thank Erica for looking after our son.”

Despite the trauma, Mr Newman maintains a positive mindset for the fu- ture. “I don’t want this to stop all the progress I’ve made in the past couple of months. I don’t want all of that to be removed. I just want this to be a learning experience,” he said.

According to police, about 11.20am on June 27, a Manunda man, 52, was arrested and charged with one count each of wounding and common assault. His bail was denied at the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 28 and he was remanded until July 28.