Man in court over Cairns murder of Nelson man

New Zealander Philip Quayle died in Cairns after being found badly injured on the street. Photo / Facebook

The man accused of murdering Nelson man Philip Quayle in Cairns is set to appear in court today as new details emerge about the violent and unprovoked attack last Thursday.

Cairns man Jake Desmond Livingstone, 19, was arrested on Friday and was photographed by the Cairns Post newspaper as he was led to the police station. The teenager was shirtless with an "Aussie Pride" tattoo emblazoned across his chest. Livingstone, who refers to himself as "aka the hulk" on his Facebook page, was interviewed for more than five hours before detectives charged him with murder on Friday night, the Cairns Post reported.

A second man, Alexander Lehmann Hansen, 21, has been charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact and will appear in court in Cairns later this month.

Mr Quayle, a hospitality worker who grew up in Nelson, had finished work about 11.30pm and had a few drinks with friends.

He set off for the home he shared with his brother, but never made it.

Police allege that Mr Quayle was just 100m from his house when was confronted by two men and a woman he did not know.

It is understood Mr Quayle got into a struggle with one of the men before the Kiwi was held face down on the ground.

He was found unconscious a short time later by a passer-by who attempted to revive him, but with no success.

Mr Quayle's family travelled to Queensland when they were told of his death.