Charles Lewer: NT teen guilty two burglaries and participated as passenger in golf cart hit-runs

A Top End teen who was involved in two burglaries, one on a rural Darwin golf club in which several golf carts were swiped, later cackled along as one of his co-offenders ran down an Aboriginal person, a court has heard.

Charles Lewer, 18, participated in a burglary at Humpty Doo and Rural Area Golf Club, then rode shotgun as a co-offender mowed down two Aboriginal people in a racially motivated attack. Picture: Floss Adams.

A teenager who participated in two burglaries, one targeting a rural Darwin golf club in which three golf carts were stolen, later cackled along as a passenger when the carts were used in two racially motivated hit-runs on Aboriginal people.

Charles Lewer, 18, appeared in Darwin Local Court on Monday charged with 10 offences, most seriously two counts of burglary, as well as additional charges of using a motor vehicle without consent, theft and damaging property.

The court heard the offending occurred on 14–15 April.

On the evening of April 14, Lewer and two others entered a Lake Bennett dwelling, where they stole pool noodles, jewellery and spirits worth about $1000.

Some hours later, on April 15, the group then targeted the Humpty Doo and Rural Area Golf Club, in which they damaged seven golf carts and stole three others, as well as helping themselves to power tools and merchandise.

Generic imagery of Northern Territory Local Court, Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The total cost to the golf club was $22,333, the court heard.

Later that day, the golf carts were involved in two hit and run incidents, the first involving a 72-year-old female cyclist at about 5.30am at Coolalinga, the second a sleeping male, old and frail, along a pedestrian path adjacent to Wallaby Holtze Rd at about 9pm.

The court was told both victims were Aboriginal and a video captured on one of the offenders’ mobile phones made clear it was a “racially motivated attack”.

Lewer was depicted in the video using a racial slur in the wake of the one of the vehicular attacks.

He was not charged with harming the two hit and run victims. Charges of failing to render assistance were dropped.

The court was told Lewer works in civil construction at Jabiru and had a strong family unit, who had expressed their bitter disappointment in Lewer’s behaviour.

Judge Julie Franz adjourned Lewer’s charges to October 31 to have him assessed for community-based orders.

She indicated he was likely to receive a term of imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive community corrections order.

Originally published as Charles Lewer: NT teen guilty two burglaries and participated as passenger in golf cart hit-runs