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Man accused of Tiahleigh incest bashed in jail

Trent Thorburn, who has been charged in relation to Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer.

Trent Thorburn, who has been charged in relation to Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer. Photo: AAP

Tiahleigh Palmer’s foster brother Trent Thorburn told guards he’d twice been bashed in jail by fellow prisoners only after the officers saw the second assault.

Thorburn, 19, has been in the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre since last week after he was arrested on charges of incest, attempting to pervert the course of justice and perjury over the death of 12-year-old Tiahleigh.

Corrections Minister Bill Byrne on Tuesday revealed Thorburn told the guards he’d been attacked earlier after they witnessed what he said was the second incident.

“The truth or otherwise of that is being established in an investigation,” Mr Byrne said.

Asked whether Thorburn had been moved to a more secure unit, he replied: “The appropriate mechanisms are in place”.

Thorburn received minor injuries when he was set upon by other prisoners who taunted him with shouts of “pretty boy” and “kill him”, News Corp Australia reported.

The Queensland Department of Corrective Services will investigative the incident.

The Beenleigh Magistrates Court last week heard Thorburn told a cousin over Facebook in September last year he had sex with Tiahleigh and was worried she might have been pregnant.

His father Rick Thorburn was last week charged with her murder, 11 months after her body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River on the Gold Coast.

Mr Byrne said the case of every prisoner, including their potential exposure to risk from a higher profile allegation, was considered when they entered the system.

“The arrangements that are made for their wellbeing are a matter of active consideration,” he said.

Mr Byrne said that in principle he was satisfied the department was doing enough to ensure the safety of higher-profile prisoners.

Thorburn’s mother Julene, 54, and brother Josh, 20, were granted bail on charges of perjury and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Police officers have remained at their Chambers Flat acreage since last week digging for evidence linked to Tiahleigh’s death.

Her school backpack and uniform have not been recovered.

-AAP

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