A man who stabbed a shopping centre security guard in the torso and slashed another on the arm has been jailed over the "remorseless" attacks.
Jake Wayne Peter Purcell, 29, pleaded guilty in Brisbane District Court on Wednesday to two counts of unlawful wounding.
Crown prosecutor Stephen Muir said Purcell had threatened two male security guards with a knife after they had taken reasonable steps to remove him from a shopping centre near Brisbane's South Bank tourist precinct on June 7, 2023.
Purcell had attended a supermarket intending to buy cigarettes but became belligerent when his preferred brand was not available.
"The (victim), quite properly, shoved the defendant when he saw the weapon. (Purcell's) response was then to wound each man ... with what was obviously a deadly weapon," Mr Muir said.
The guards were treated in hospital for a 5cm penetrating wound and a 3cm laceration.
Mr Muir said it was only a matter of chance that the stab wound to one the victims did not result in a more serious injury.
"(Purcell's) remorselessness is demonstrated by his comment (after arrest) that 'I should have just killed him'," Mr Muir said.
Defence barrister Dominic Nguyen said Purcell had poisoned his life with methamphetamine after being abused in juvenile detention and was now in mental health treatment.
"At the time of offending he was unmedicated ... while in custody he has been clean of illicit drugs," Mr Nguyen said.
Judge Terry Gardiner said he accepted mental health had contributed to Purcell's offending but he had initially been unremorseful and had a history with violence and carrying knives.
"Security officers going about their work should not be exposed to the risk of knife wounds," Judge Gardiner said.
Judge Gardiner said it was significant that Purcell had stabbed two people in a busy shopping centre that was open to the public.
Purcell was sentenced to three-and-half years' imprisonment with just over one year on remand declared as time served.
Judge Gardiner ordered that Purcell would be immediately able to apply for parole, which would later determine if he was suitable for release.
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