Woman accused of stabbing grandmother granted bail

A young woman accused of attempted murder by stabbing her grandmother has been granted bail after her solicitor offered multiple conditions and mental health monitoring upon her release.

Bella-Rose Currie Shields, 21, allegedly attacked her 63-year-old grandmother on May 17, 2023 in a home they shared in the town of Beaudesert, south of Brisbane.

Shields has been in custody for more than 16 months, including five months in a secure mental health ward, and on Tuesday applied for bail in Brisbane Supreme Court.

Justice Thomas Bradley handed down his decision on Wednesday and said the seriousness of the charge against Shields called for a large number of bail conditions.

"In my view, the risks associated with the applicant's release on bail can be ameliorated to an acceptable level ... she has demonstrated that her continued detention is not justified," he said.

Shields' solicitor Natalie Keys had previously told Justice Bradley her client's mental health had improved while in custody.

"She’s certainly doing well. She's obtained employment in the kitchen. It's a position of trust using knives and that's not done if there's still a substantial risk," Ms Keys said.

Crown prosecutor Jennifer O’Brien said she opposed bail for Shields as she was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences or presenting a danger to the community, even after Ms Keys offered further conditions for her release.

"The month before (the alleged offence) she barricaded herself in her room and expressed homicidal ideation while she had a large knife," Ms O'Brien said.

Ms O'Brien said her primary concern was the risk of Shields breaking her sobriety and using illegal drugs as intoxication was strongly linked to her alleged attack on her grandmother.

"Her ability to access drugs (will be) high. When she uses drugs her mental health destabilises," Ms O'Brien said.

Shields was banned from entering Beaudesert and multiple other Queensland regional areas and must not approach any witnesses or alleged victims.

She must also wear a monitoring device and consent to community support services reporting any failure to follow her mental health treatment plan and any suspected illegal drug use.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store