true crime

Tiahleigh Palmer's foster brother Trent Thorburn targeted in prison by fellow inmates.

Trent Thorburn, the man accused of committing incest with his foster sister Tiahleigh Palmer, has been bashed in prison.

The 19-year-old was placed in custody last Tuesday, and has since been set upon twice by fellow inmates, reports The Courier Mail.

Thorburn was first bashed on Sunday morning, then again on Sunday afternoon as onlookers reportedly shouted “pretty boy” and “kill him”.

The dancer’s father, Rick Thorburn, has been charged with murdering 12-year-old Tiahleigh, a crime he allegedly committed after discovering Trent had been incestuous with the girl in the family’s Chambers Flat home.

Thorburn is being held at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, where he’s been placed in an area for high-risk prisoners, such as accused paedophiles and high-profile inmates.

According to The Courier Mail, he was treated at the prison infirmary for scratches and injuries to his face and neck. The injuries are not believed to be serious.

It’s unclear whether he has been moved to a new area within the prison.

Tiahleigh Palmer was in the family's care for 10 months prior to her murder. Image: Facebook.

A court last week heard that police obtained Facebook messages in which Trent told his cousin that he feared he may have impregnated Tiahleigh.

The Logan girl's body was found decomposed on the banks of the Pimpama River last November, sparking a lengthy police investigation that culminated in the arrests of her foster family.

Rick Thorburn stands accused of murder and interfering with a corpse, while his wife and other son have been charged with perjury and perverting the course of justice in relation to testimony they gave at a commission into the child's death.