Co-worker allegedly chased waitress with carving knife at Brisbane club

A woman is lucky to be alive after a co-worker accused of stalking her allegedly chased her around the restaurant with a carving knife attempting to kill her, according to police.

Police say Cameron William Leslie Clark, a 33-year-old kitchen hand at the Easts Rugby League Club, was told not to return to work at 2.30pm on Thursday while he was on a day off.

He had been allegedly giving “unwanted and unsolicited attention” to a 20-year-old waitress at the club in Coorparoo in Brisbane’s south, which led to his exclusion, Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said.

Within three hours, about 5.15pm, Clark allegedly came back, concealing a large carving blade.

Massingham said the man allegedly pulled out the knife and “repeatedly stabbed and slashed” at the waitress in a hallway that led to the main service area.

A male chef, 61, stepped in to fight off Clark, Massingham said.

The incident began in a hallway that led to the main service area, allowing the woman to escape momentarily to the dining room.

“She was then set upon for a second time by him,” the detective said.

Police arrived in minutes, where they found the man being restrained by members of the public.

Throughout the alleged attack the waitress suffered serious cuts to her arm and head, for which she would require surgery, as well a series of defensive wounds, Massingham said.

“It will be alleged the offender went there with a clear intent, and we are just so thankful that that intent was not fully realised.”

The detective said as many as eight people stepped in to hold the man down.

Meal time was just starting at the club, with a number of people already eating when the incident took place.

All but one of the people holding Clark down were club staff.

The 20-year-old remained in at the Princess Alexandra hospital on Friday.

Police said a 61-year-old man with a stab wound to his abdomen was also taken to hospital, though the injuries were not life-threatening.

A 41-year-old woman also suffered a minor wound to her arm.

Clark, who lives in Woolloongabba, was charged with attempted murder and stalking.

He was also charged with acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and wounding in relation to two other alleged victims.

Clark remained in hospital as the matter was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court, where it was adjourned until next week.

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