Smail Ayad charged in Australia with second British backpacker murder Published duration 28 October 2016

image copyright PA/Facebook image caption Tom Jackson and Mia Ayliffe-Chung both died after they were stabbed in an Australian hostel in August

The man accused of stabbing to death two British backpackers at an Australian hostel has been charged with a second count of murder.

Smail Ayad allegedly fatally injured Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, and Tom Jackson, 30, during an attack in Queensland.

The 29-year-old Frenchman's charge of attempted murder was upgraded to murder earlier following the death of Mr Jackson a week after the incident.

The case was moved to a mental health court following a hearing earlier.

Bravery award

Mr Ayad, who was charged with Ms Ayliffe-Chung's murder in August, also faces one count of attempted murder, 12 of assaulting police officers and one of serious animal cruelty.

Mr Jackson, of Congleton, Cheshire, was nominated for a posthumous bravery award for trying to protect Miss Ayliffe-Chung, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, during the attack in Shelley's Backpackers.

He was injured while trying to shield her from the attack near Townsville.

Mr Ayad did not appear at the short hearing at Townsville Magistrates' Court earlier where it was decided the case would be transferred to the mental health court.

He was remanded into custody and is due to appear at the court in Townsville on 15 February.