'Don't stab me': Screwdriver-wielding teen allegedly chased man around outside Canberra Centre

Bystanders filmed or watched a screwdriver-wielding teenage girl allegedly chase a man around outside the Canberra Centre in an incident that only ended with the intervention of nearby tradesmen.

Police received multiple reports of an altercation in Civic after 1 pm on Tuesday (29 April), an ACT Policing spokesperson said.

It is alleged that a woman had been threatening a man, who was known to her, and tradesmen, who had been working in the City, with a screwdriver.

“No one was physically injured during this incident,” a police spokesperson said.

Officers arrived at City Walk, arrested 18-year-old Kaialani Tuariki and found a screwdriver police alleged was used in the incident.

Tuariki was handed four charges over her alleged role in the incident before she applied for bail in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (30 April).

The court heard it was alleged she tried to stab the man with the screwdriver several times that afternoon.

“Go away, don’t stab me,” the man allegedly told her during the incident.

“No, f-k you, c-t. I’m going to f-ing stab you,” she allegedly responded.

The incident was captured on closed-circuit television footage (CCTV), which was played in the courtroom.

In the footage, a woman could be seen chasing a man across City Walk, between the Canberra Centre and the Canberra Times Fountain.

She then continued to follow him as he backed away. A scuffle could then be seen in the distance.

During the minutes-long incident, numerous bystanders could be seen stopping on City Walk to watch what was happening, while some even pulled out their mobile phones and appeared to begin filming.

Tuariki’s lawyer, Amelie McCarthy from Legal Aid, argued that there was a point in the CCTV footage where the woman, allegedly her client, started walking away from the man before he began following her.

She also argued that the man had been engaging with the woman, saying, “There were things being said”.

Ms McCarthy said her client had been couchsurfing until recently. While she now had accommodation, the court heard that there were difficulties with the residence, and she was seeking more stable accommodation.

Prosecutor Jack Hill, who opposed bail, said the incident occurred in broad daylight “in one of the most public places in Canberra”.

He stated that the man had attempted to disengage during the incident, which allegedly only came to an end with the intervention of bystanders.

Magistrate Robert Cook said it appeared there had been “a falling out” between Tuariki and the man.

He noted the “serious nature” of the allegations and said his biggest concern was that Turaiki currently did not have stable accommodation.

He was not satisfied that the proposed bail conditions could ameliorate the risks of her release and refused bail, remanding her in custody.

Tuariki did not enter pleas to her charges of assault, threatening to inflict grievous bodily harm, affray and possessing an offensive weapon with intent.

Her matter was adjourned to 27 May.