Qld stab murder case adjourned

The man accused of a fatal stabbing frenzy at a north Queensland backpackers has been remanded in custody after safety concerns prevented his appearance in court.

Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, did not appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday morning because of security concerns.

"Your honour it was the police that requested that he not be brought up and I've taken instructions which don't resist that," his lawyer Helen Armitage told the court.

The case was adjourned to October 28 and the court was closed for an application from police.

He was taken from the Townsville watchhouse by a police convoy following the hearing.

Ayad has been charged with the murder of British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung following the attack at a Home Hill hostel on Tuesday night, as well as two counts of attempted murder and one count of animal cruelty for killing a dog.

One of his alleged victims, Tom Jackson, also from the UK, remains in a critical condition in Townsville Hospital after being stabbed multiple times in the head while trying to help Ms Ayliffe-Chung.

Mr Jackson's father Les has flown to Australia to be by his side.

Ayad, a former kickboxer, is also accused of assaulting a dozen police officers since his arrest, including biting one on the leg.

It's alleged he shouted out "Allahu Akbar" while attacking Ms Ayliffe-Chung but police have not found any evidence the incident was terror-related.

They are also investigating the possibility Ayad became obsessed with Ms Ayliffe-Chung during her few days at the hostel and that she did not reciprocate his feelings.

Ms Ayliffe-Chung was a week into a three month stint working on North Queensland farms to extend her Australian travel visa when she was killed.