Latest news with #HabitatEarlyLearning
ABC News
a day ago
- ABC News
Sunshine Coast childcare centre intruder on parole at time of death
The 28-year-old intruder at the centre of a Queensland childcare centre emergency had a lengthy criminal history, including charges for stalking, weapon offences and drug dealing. Reubhan Mickeal Gary Ralph was on parole when he died on Monday after smashing his way into the Habitat Early Learning childcare centre at Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast. It is understood he was armed, and police tasered him multiple times. Ralph was not known to any staff or families at the centre. Police are investigating whether he was in a drug psychosis at the time of his death. The centre had five staff and six children inside and was winding down at 6pm, about 30 minutes before it was due to close. The staff heard Ralph's efforts to break in and swiftly moved to hide the children. The time it took him to smash through the centre's front glass doors was enough for them to alert police, who arrived to confront Ralph soon after. They attempted to subdue Ralph, who was self-harming. Ralph died in the custody of police. Court documents chronicled Ralph's criminal history, starting in 2021, which included multiple drug offences. Since then, he faced court multiple times and was convicted for drug driving, speeding, drug trafficking, breaching bail, stalking, and carrying a knife in public. He spent five months in custody for the stalking offences. According to court documents, he was part of a syndicate which sold narcotics on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The money he made was used to pay off his drug debts. Most recently, in May last year, Ralph pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane to possessing and selling drugs. He was convicted but had his three-and-a-half-year prison sentence wholly suspended and was put on probation for two-and-a-half years. Ralph was released on parole in June after breaching his bail conditions. Queensland Police Union president Shane Prior said every officer at the scene acted bravely during the "harrowing incident". "One young constable used initiative and resourcefulness to enter the rear of the premises without the offender being aware and guided the children and carers to safety," he said. "He has saved these kids from a potential lifetime of trauma. Police and Emergency Services Minister Daniel Purdie said he spoke with officers after the attack. "They handled it extremely well and did whatever they could to protect the children and carers," Mr Purdie said. "It really was a horrific incident for this tight-knit community." A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said the childcare evacuation was a team effort between several police officers and facility staff, not one specific officer.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Reubhan Ralph identified as man behind terrifying childcare centre incident in Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast
Warning: distressing content A man who terrorised children and staff inside a childcare centre on the Sunshine Coast before then ending his own life has been identified. Habitat Early Learning in Peregian Springs was plunged into lockdown following a violent break-in about 6pm. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Armed intruder forces childcare centre into lockdown Five workers and six children were forced to lock themselves inside just before pick after Reubhan Ralph, 28, smashed his way into the centre armed with a knife and started making threats. Officers arrived within 20 minutes to find Ralph self-harming. 'Police were confronted with a male who had self-inflicted injuries,' Acting Inspector Scott Wiggins said. 'Police have attempted to provide assistance to that male and sadly he has succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the scene.' Ralph was an OnlyFans creator who was known to police. In July last year, he was charged after live-streaming a rampage in which he was seen driving through the Southbank Parklands in Brisbane before smashing a number of cars in Kangaroo Point. He then shattered the window of a nearby pub, hurled a spanner into an ambulance and then stole a truck from a construction site on the Gold Coast. Ralph was released on parole in June. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the early childhood educators involved in the incident were heroes. 'I'm sure that for many of those students and teachers, it's a particularly traumatic experience they've gone through,' he said. In a letter to parents, centre manager confirmed Ralph wasn't known to any staff or children. 'Our staff involved are to be commended for their quick thinking and their care for the children,' the manager said. 'We will be providing counselling for all involved ... worried or scared.' The incident will be investigated by the ethical standards command, with the centre to remain closed for the rest of the week. Stream free on
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
Man takes own life outside Queensland childcare centre
A community is reeling after a man took his own life outside a Queensland childcare centre, where six children were awaiting pickup by their parents. Emergency services were called to a disturbance at Habitat Early Learning centre in Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast around 6pm on Monday. On arrival, police said they had located a 28-year-old man who had forced entry to the premises, was self-harming, and sustained serious injuries as a result. 'Officers attempted to negotiate with the man before taking him into custody,' a police spokesman said. 'The man became unresponsive soon after. 'Attending police rendered first aid before other emergency services arrived, however he was declared dead a short time later.' The man's death is currently being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner, and could be looked into by the Crime and Corruption Commission. A spokesman for the childcare centre told the Courier Mail six children were inside the premises at the time, alongside five staff. 'The offender was unable to gain immediate access to the centre due to security measures including fingerprint scanners, and this allowed our staff the time to follow their safety protocols and hide everyone in a secure location,' they said. 'The offender was not known to any staff or our families. 'None of the children witnessed the offender after his initial attempts to enter the building.' Queensland Education minister John Paul Langbroek, when asked about the event at an unrelated press conference shortly after, declared it was 'a horrendous issue that I've only just been advised of'. 'I'm sure that for many of those students and teachers, it's a particularly traumatic experience they've gone through,' he said. 'I think those early childhood teachers and educators are heroes, and any counselling service that is needed will be provided, but the safety of our children is paramount.' For help, members of the public are encouraged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Man takes own life outside childcare centre
A community is reeling after a man took his own life outside a Queensland childcare centre, where six children were awaiting pickup by their parents. Emergency services were called to a disturbance at Habitat Early Learning centre in Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast around 6pm on Monday. On arrival, police said they had located a 28-year-old man who had forced entry to the premises, was self-harming, and sustained serious injuries as a result. 'Officers attempted to negotiate with the man before taking him into custody,' a police spokesman said. 'The man became unresponsive soon after. 'Attending police rendered first aid before other emergency services arrived, however he was declared dead a short time later.' The man's death is currently being investigated by the Ethical Standards Command on behalf of the State Coroner, and could be looked into by the Crime and Corruption Commission. A spokesman for the childcare centre told the Courier Mail six children were inside the premises at the time, alongside five staff. 'The offender was unable to gain immediate access to the centre due to security measures including fingerprint scanners, and this allowed our staff the time to follow their safety protocols and hide everyone in a secure location,' they said. 'The offender was not known to any staff or our families. 'None of the children witnessed the offender after his initial attempts to enter the building.' Queensland Education minister John Paul Langbroek, when asked about the event at an unrelated press conference shortly after, declared it was 'a horrendous issue that I've only just been advised of'. 'I'm sure that for many of those students and teachers, it's a particularly traumatic experience they've gone through,' he said. 'I think those early childhood teachers and educators are heroes, and any counselling service that is needed will be provided, but the safety of our children is paramount.' For help, members of the public are encouraged to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at More to come. Lifeline on 13 11 14 Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 Headspace on 1800 650 890 SANE on 1800 18 7263
