The man charged with murdering British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung was Tasered and sprayed with pepper spray after he allegedly lashed out at police and bit an officer.
Townsville Regional Crime Co-ordinator Ray Rohweder told reporters Smail Ayad became violent towards officers as they drove him from hospital to the Townsville Police Station, where he was formally questioned and later charged with murder.
He said it took half a dozen officers to subdue the man, who was Tasered and sprayed with pepper spray.
"As a result of that, police received some injuries including cuts and abrasions, but also a bite to the leg."
Superintendent Rohweder said police were yet to determine the motive behind the attack on the British woman but said it did not appear to be religiously motivated.
"From what we have been able to establish at this stage there is absolutely no indication of any form of radicalisation or any political ideology behind this," he said.
He confirmed police were investigating whether Ayad had a romantic interest in Ms Ayliffe-Chung.
Although he said there was definitely no romantic connection between the pair from her point of view.
"There is no doubt about that," he said.
Superintendent Rohweder said Ayad had undergone a psychiatric assessment but did not divulge what that revealed.
Forensic procedures had also been performed on him, he said.
British man Thomas Jackson remains in a critical condition following the attack at Shelley's Backpackers in Home Hill on Tuesday night.
He sustained his injuries while attempting to help Ms Ayliffe-Chung.
"There is no doubt that Mr Jackson's attempts to render aid to Mia and his subsequent actions were absolutely fantastic," Superintendent Rohweder said.
Mr Jackson's father is en route to Australia.
Ms Ayliffe-Chung was less than a week into three months of farming work to extend her one-year visa when she was killed.
Her mother Rosie Ayliffe said her daughter was "an amazing young woman with an adventurous spirit".
"Not only was she kind and funny, she was clever, sassy with a sense of fun," she said in a statement.
"Mia was full of the kind of open-minded compassion for life that you don't see that often."
Supplied image obtained Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016 of British backpacker Mia Ayliffe-Chung. Source: Supplied
