South Australians aged 25 and under who have pleaded guilty in court in the past 12 months
Former private school boys, a basketball ref, an Olympic hopeful and a mum are among the young offenders who have ended up on the wrong side of the law.
Police & Courts
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South Australia has witnessed shocking and horrific acts committed by young people who had their whole lives ahead of them before they ended up in court.
From murders, drug and sexual offences, to devastating driving deaths, some were sent to prison, while others were given suspended sentences and able to go home.
Here are 25 South Australians aged under 25 who faced court in the past 12 months.
Dhirren Randhawa, 19
Randhawa, 19, was sentenced for the hit-and-run death of Charlie Stevens, son of the state’s police commissioner, during the 2023 Schoolies festival.
On November 17, Charlie and his friends were walking to a bus stop on Beach Rd, Goolwa Beach, when they spotted Randhawa driving by, court documents revealed.
After declining their request for a ride to avoid losing demerit points, Randhawa kept driving but later made a U-turn and saw the group again.
He swerved on to the southbound lane, in an attempt to avoid the group, but instead, struck Charlie who was in the path of his Volkswagen Golf.
Randhawa, of Encounter Bay, continued driving.
Charlie, 18, suffered a fatal brain injury and died in the hospital on November 18.
Randhawa was initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care and leaving the scene.
In the District Court on October 22, Randhawa was sentenced to one year, one month, and seven days in prison, with a 25 per cent discount for his guilty plea, a $1000 good behaviour bond, and a 10-year driving ban.
Judge Joanna Tracey noted Randhawa’s failure to brake and his decision to flee out of panic, but acknowledged his remorse and lack of prior history.
Randhawa apologised publicly to the Stevens family, who expressed their enduring grief over Charlie’s death.
Jake Frederick Stock, 19
Stock was jailed for causing the death of Poppy Crozier in a horrific crash on Dukes Highway at Ki Ki, on May 26, 2023.
On a dark, rainy night, Stock ignored two prohibitive signs when he overtook two trucks before colliding head-on with Ms Crozier’s Mazda station wagon.
Ms Crozier, 19, was pushed into a truck’s path and died on impact.
The court heard Stock attempted to speed past the trucks upon seeing oncoming headlights, leading to the fatal collision.
The Murray Bridge teenager pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.
During sentencing on May 29, 2024, Judge Jane Schammer said “his actions warranted a sentence of imprisonment” – despite his lack of prior offences and potential for rehabilitation.
He was sentenced to three years, two months, and eight days, with a non-parole period of two years, making him eligible for release in May 2026.
His driver’s licence was disqualified for ten years post release.
In court, Stock expressed remorse, apologised to Ms Crozier’s family, and acknowledged the lasting impact of his actions.
The courtroom was filled with Ms Crozier’s loved ones, who shared their grief and the devastating effect of Stock’s reckless behaviour.
Unidentified, 19
A teenager who once aspired to play for a National Premier League team was sentenced for importing nearly 700g of cocaine from overseas in a stark departure from his dreams.
The Adelaide Court Youth heard that in December 2022, the teen’s co-accused arranged for a cocaine shipment from the UK to Australia.
The package containing 837g of powder with almost 680g being cocaine valued at $250,000 arrived in January 2023.
Judge Paul Muscat noted the teen had his cousin collect the drugs upon arrival. Evidence suggested the teen aspired to start his own drug trafficking business, the court heard.
Judge Muscat highlighted the teen’s involvement with an African street gang for social connection and as an outlet for violence, joining at 15 and becoming a senior member by 16.
The teenager – who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence – pleaded guilty to one count of importing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug.
He was sentenced as an adult to two years and seven months’ jail, suspended upon entering a good behaviour order for two years.
Ian Lovegrove, 20
The young man was jailed for impulsively stabbing his childhood friend after catching him with his ex-girlfriend in November 2022.
During a night out, Tyson Wanganeen met with Asha Briscoe – Lovegrove’s girlfriend at the time – and her two friends, on Hindley St, the District Court heard during sentencing on March 26 this year.
The three women, Wanganeen and another man went to Ms Briscoe’s unit at Parkside for a house party later that night. The next morning, Lovegrove – aged 18 at the time – climbed through a window and spotted Briscoe and Wanganeen, lying on the bed.
Lovegrove then stabbed Wanganeen in an underarm motion, before Wanganeen ran out of the house. CCTV footage captured Wanganeen holding his stomach staggering to neighbouring homes for help.
He was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries that required three surgeries and a 28-day hospital admission.
Lovegrove, of Croydon Park, pleaded guilty midway through his trial to causing serious harm with intent. He was sentenced to four years and nine months in jail with a non-parole period of two years and two months.
The sentence was backdated to February 12, 2023, making him eligible for parole this month.
Hayden Wade Richman, 20
Richman, 20, escaped a jail sentence after having unlawful sex with a 15-year-old girl – who he said he believed was 17 – on an NDIS-funded hotel stay at Mawson Lakes in February 2023.
The girl – who was in state care – was found by police in a state of “distress”, “huddled in the corner crying”.
Police body-cam footage recorded Richman – 19 at the time – saying the sexual intercourse was consensual but “he was concerned” and “questioned whether he should have checked her identification”.
There was a dispute over Richman’s belief of the victim’s age, because he was originally told she was 17 or 18.
District Court Judge Ian Press rejected the notion Richman was interested in a relationship with the girl, but his actions and comments about her to his friend showed he had interest in having intercourse with her.
He accepted the girl told Richman she was 17 years old – leading him to genuinely believe she was of legal age and not 15, which would have “significantly reduced” his moral culpability for the act.
Richman pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse, and was convicted. He was sentenced in the District Court in April last year, to a two-year good behaviour bond with 18 months of supervision.
He was also ordered to serve 120 hours of community service.
Marcus Carlo Cappo, 20
The great-grandson of the Cappo Seafoods founder, Marcus was jailed over child sex offences, after he groomed and took advantage of young girls.
Cappo manipulated seven victims – aged between 14 and 16 years old – and paid for explicit images and videos, between September 2021 and December 2022, the District Court heard.
The court heard Cappo – aged 18 at the time of offending – paid one victim $450 for nude photos, while another victim was offered $5000 for sexual activity.
Police were notified of his offending when a sexually explicit video of one victim – which he requested – began circulating at her school, after he shared it with another victim so she could recreate it.
Cappo’s devices were confiscated and analysed, which uncovered 179 explicit videos on his phone and 1852 child exploitation images on his computer.
Judge Michelle Sutcliffe said Cappo’s offending “was born out of a need for sexual gratification”, instead of the need for emotional connection – as opined by Cappo’s treating psychologist.
He pleaded guilty to a multitude of charges, including possessing and disseminating child exploitation material and multiple counts of procuring a child for sexual activity.
On Friday July 25, Cappo was sentenced to four years jail, with a non-parole period of three years and two months.
There is no suggestion Carlo or Matthew Cappo or Cappo Seafoods are involved in any of Marcus Cappo’s offences.
Yousif Al-Asadi, 20 and Rayn Sadik, 23
Al-Asadi and Sadik were jailed over their involvement in the state’s second-largest cocaine bust that attempted to import 139kg worth cocaine, found inside luxury buses, in January last year.
The operation was uncovered when Australian Border Force officers intercepted a ship from Singapore, after receiving intelligence about a transnational crime syndicate.
They discovered the cocaine inside a suspicious packages on the buses, then replaced it with fake substances.
Australian Federal Police tracked the buses to a carpark in Mansfield Park on February 3, where Al-Asadi and Sadik, both from Victoria, attempted to collect what they believed was real cocaine.
They were subsequently arrested at a hotel.
The court later heard the duo were coerced by drug dealers, to whom they owed money.
Both men pleaded guilty to attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported drug, and faced the maximum penalty of life imprisonment or a substantial fine.
On January 29, 2025, the duo were sentenced to four years in prison – reduced to three years for their early guilty pleas – with a non-parole period of 18 months.
They will be eligible for parole in August.
Judge Joana Fuller acknowledged they were low-level participants, coerced into the crime due to debts owed to drug dealers, and were intended to be disposable by the crime syndicate.
The seizure prevented approximately 695,000 potential drug deals, valued at $45 million, from reaching the streets.
Marco Anthony Yandle, 21
Marco Yandle faced court after helping his father cover up the murder of innocent missing man, Steve Murphy.
In February 2023, the court previously heard Marco, then aged 20, went with his father, Keith Yandle, to their Kudla shed, about 46km north of Adelaide, where they found Mr Murphy inside sleeping rough.
CCTV cameras captured Keith firing multiple fatal shots at him at close range, while Marco – armed with a baseball bat – was seen shone a torch on him and leaving the shed.
In April 2023, a tip-off led SA Police to the Yandles’ property where Marco was questioned. He denied knowing or having met Mr Murphy, but a property search uncovered Mr Murphy’s possessions – hidden by Marco.
Mr Murphy’s body was found inside a 15m by 15m pit dug beneath the shed by Keith.
Both were arrested and initially jointly charged with his murder.
Marco’s murder charge was dropped after prosecutors accepted his plea to the lesser offence of assisting an offender.
Therefore, he could not be sentenced for any actions he took – or failed to take – during the shooting, as the plea accepted by prosecutors dealt only with his post-shooting conduct.
In the Supreme Court in July last year, the former Trinity College vice-captain was sentenced to 20 months in prison, with a non-parole period of 13 months.
However, Justice Judy Hughes suspended the remainder of Marco’s sentence – on the condition he enter into a two-year good behaviour bond – because of time served in custody.
while your father fired the shots – nor for failing to intervene,” she said.
“I’m sentencing you for hiding several items and for lying to police,” Justice Hughes said.
In September 2024, Marco’s sentence was increased on appeal to two and half years, then reduced that to 10 months and 19 days. The Court of Appeal then suspended his new sentence for a two-year good behaviour bond.
In the Supreme Court on February 28 2025, Keith was found guilty of murder after a three-week trial, and is expected to receive a mandatory life sentence.
His non-parole period will be set at a later date, and he will reappear in court on April 7 for a pre-sentence hearing.
Nelson Dodd, 21
Nelson Dodd was sentenced over a vicious attack inflicted upon a man after an alleged racist remark at a southern suburbs shopping centre on February 7 last year.
Dodd was arguing with the unidentified victim at Colonnades Shopping Centre, the District Court heard during sentencing on April 9 this year.
The court heard the victim approached Dodd, and could have challenged him to a physical confrontation – and he “immediately took up the invitation”.
CTV footage released to The Advertiser showed the youngster behaving aggressively, before he stabbed the victim with a stick and stomped on the man’s head while the victim was unconscious.
Dodd was also seen throwing several punches, which forced the man to fall on the ground.
“While obviously unconscious you violently stomped on his head four times,” Judge Heath Barklay said during sentencing, while also admitting the CCTV footage was “confronting to watch”.
As he was pulled away by another man he stole the victim’s backpack and fled.
The victim suffered head wounds requiring 12 staples and a piece of wood was removed from his neck.
The Noarlunga Downs man pleaded guilty to causing harm with intent and theft, and was sentenced to two years and three months in jail, with a non-parole period of 12 months.
Jayden Ramone McKenna, 22
McKenna avoided jail after he groomed a 13-year-old girl, picked her up from a park, and had unlawful sex with her at his house over three days.
The court previously heard McKenna met the girl – who has an intellectual disability – on Snapchat in 2022.
On April 30, 2022, an NDIS-funded support worker drove McKenna to pick up the girl, who was under state care at the time.
The worker questioned what the pair would be doing – but not her age or the appropriateness of her visit.
On May 2, an executive director arrived at his place, and saw the victim’s face while she was in his bed. He believe she looked to be about 12 to 15 years old.
McKenna, aged 22 at the time, pleaded guilty to his charges of two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 14 years, in November 2023.
In court, a prosecutor read the victim’s impact statement, which detailed her emotional struggle since the offending.
In the District Court in March last year, McKenna received a suspended sentence on the condition he enter a good behaviour bond of two years, after initially being sentenced to two years, nine months and 28 days with a non-parole period of one year and four months imprisonment.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by McKenna’s support worker or the support agency’s executive director.
James Paul Bryson, 22
The former private school student was sentenced to nine years in prison for causing a fatal high-speed crash while intoxicated.
On November 18, 2023, after a night of drinking, Bryson drove a Toyota ute at 136 km/h and collided with a Ford Territory at the Riddoch Highway and McGrice Rd intersection.
The crash instantly killed Dennis Frazer, 77, and Deborah Thomson, 65, who were identified only through dental records.
This tragic incident marked the 99th and 100th road deaths in South Australia for 2023. Bryson, then 21, was found to have been driving at speeds up to 152 km/h based on vehicle and mobile phone data.
In court, Judge Gordon Barrett acknowledged Bryson’s remorse but emphasised the irreversible impact on the victims’ families.
Bryson pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated causing death by dangerous driving. He received a non-parole period of six years, five months, and 24 days, with a 14-year driving disqualification post-release.
Caleb Levi Galffy, 23
Caleb Levi Galffy, 23, was sentenced to two years and nine months in jail for a high-speed crash while driving a stolen motorbike under the influence of drugs.
On July 26, 2023, Galffy crashed at the intersection of Bagster Rd and Waterloo Corner in Salisbury North, which resulted in serious leg injuries to his former girlfriend – the pillion passenger.
Galffy, unlicensed at the time, was driving at 84.7 km/h when he collided with a vehicle legally turning right.
Both were thrown into the air, and the incident was captured on a police car’s dashcam. He was later found hiding behind a shed, wearing only a towel.
Hospital tests revealed the Paralowie local was affected by methamphetamine, amphetamine, THC, and paracetamol, at the time.
He pleaded guilty to aggravated causing harm by dangerous driving and other charges.
On July 23 2024, Judge Jane Schammer warned Galffy needed to stay clean and stop breaking his good behaviour bonds, if he wanted to avoid wasting “the rest of (his) 20s in jail”.
Galffy received a fifteen-month non-parole period. His sentence was backdated to August 2023, making him eligible for parole in November.
Jakob Julian Meyer, 23
Jakob Julian Meyer, 23, a landscaping apprentice turned drug dealer, avoided jail after unknowingly selling drugs to an undercover cop.
Meyer admitted to a psychologist he was on “autopilot” and had become “an idiot” during his illegal activities, which involved selling cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine via Snapchat.
In May 2023, an undercover officer arranged to buy 20 ecstasy pills from Meyer through Snapchat, and on several occasions, purchased small amounts of cocaine.
Three months later, police searched a Seacliff Park address where Meyer was present, discovering a fireproof safe containing 9g of cocaine and 70.6g of MDMA, valued at $4500 and $17,690 respectively.
They also found $10,200, digital scales, pill punches, and resealable bags, alongside Snapchat messages suggesting drug trafficking.
Meyer pleaded guilty to seven counts of drug trafficking and one count of money laundering.
He was sentenced to four years in jail, with a non-parole period of two years and two months. However, due to his rehabilitation efforts and lack of prior offences, the sentence was suspended on a $1000, three-year good behaviour bond.
William Gilbert Johnston, 23
William Gilbert Johnston fell into drug use during a crucial time when he was expected become of the country’s top break dancer and was on track to represent Australia in the Paris Olympics.
Johnston, 23 of Unley, avoided jail after being caught advertising and selling drugs, including mixed cocaine and MDA pills, on Snapchat to an undercover officer in 2023.
District Court Judge Ian Press described Johnston’s challenging childhood and rebellious teenage years, which led to drug use and leaving school.
Johnston was previously arrested in December 2020 for drug trafficking, disqualifying him from representing Australia in break dancing.
Despite this setback, he remained committed to qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Johnston moved in with a man who suggested selling drugs to cover rent and cocaine use.
Johnston pleaded guilty to four counts of drug trafficking, breaching an 18-month good behaviour bond from a previous assault conviction.
He was sentenced to three years and three months on home detention.
Jessie James Dodd, 24
In a reckless incident on May 21, 2023, Jessie James Dodd stole a Toyota Camry and while attempting to evade police, ran a red light, crashing into a Mazda occupied by two teenage girls.
The collision at the intersection of Chief St and Port Rd was so forceful it caused the Mazda to roll over.
The front passenger, aged 19, suffered severe injuries, including a broken rib, fractured vertebrae, collapsed lung, fractured pelvis, and pneumonia.
The driver, also 19, endured a neck fracture and spent eight days in the hospital.
Dodd, 24, who had been on a month-long methamphetamine binge and consumed red wine on the day of the crash, fled the scene without assisting the injured girls or reporting to the police.
He later admitted to a psychologist about his substance abuse. Dodd pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated causing serious harm by dangerous driving and theft.
Judge Kristopher Handshin sentenced him to seven years, eight months, and 13 days in jail, with a non-parole period of four years and six months, making him eligible for parole in February 2028.
Thocrial Agoth, 24
Thocrial Agoth was jailed for life over the brutal stabbing murder of Ngor Bol, 25, during a night out with friends on Anzac Day in 2023.
On Friday December 5, 2024, Justice Adam Kimber of the Supreme Court sentenced the Victorian man – alongside his publicly unidentified co-accused – for the crime committed in the middle of North Tce.
The attack – witnessed by two teenager girls – was captured on CCTV footage captured as one of the two men raised a knife above Mr Bol, before stabbing him six times. Agoth stomped on and kicked his head.
Both were arrested at Adelaide Airport on April 25, 2022. In the South Australian Supreme Court on August 20, 2024, they were found guilty of murder after a five-week trial.
Justice Kimber said he was “satisfied, beyond a reasonable doubt” both intended to kill Mr Bol.
Both men had “poor” criminal histories, the court heard, with prior history of “violent” offending including assaults and affrays. They had also breached court orders to not leave Victoria, at the time of the murder
Agoth was sentenced to life with a 24-year non-parole period. His co-offender received the same with a 26-year non-parole period.
Tarikjot Singh, 24
Tarikjot Singh, one of South Australia’s most notorious murderers, had his non-parole period extended after an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution.
Originally sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 22 years and 10 months in 2013, Singh’s sentence was deemed inadequate by the Court of Appeal.
Instead, his non-parole period was increased to 30 years, reduced to 28 years and six months due to his guilty plea.
Singh, 24, pleaded guilty to the premeditated murder of his ex-girlfriend, Jasmeen Kaur. Singh had failed to accept their relationship breakdown when he planned the murder.
On March 5, 2021, he abducted her from her workplace, restrained her, and drove her to Moralana Creek, 40km north of Hawker in the Flinders Ranges, where he placed her in a shallow grave.
She was blindfolded and with her hands cable tied behind her back and feet bound, buried her alive. She eventually died from inhaling soil, which was found in her airways.
A court heard Singh tried to make the murder look like a suicide by making “superficial” cuts her throat with unknown object.
Darcee Lauren Kelly, 24
The young mother, whose partner Jessie Sam Anderson sold fake Xanax to a friend who fatally overdosed, avoided jail for her role in his drug-dealing business.
On July 2, 2024, Darcee Lauren Kelly, 24, faced the District Court after pleading guilty to trafficking in a commercial quantity of LSD, and Clonazolam.
Police were called an Ascot Park home on December 23, 2021, where they uncovered 1000 Xanax tablets and almost 50 LSD tablets.
Kelly and Anderson were subsequently arrested and charged drug offences.
The search followed an investigation into the death of a 22-year-old Woodcroft man.
During her sentencing, Judge Fuller said Kelly had played a less significant role in the drug dealing, and her “psychological disabilities” should be taken into consideration.
She said while she had considered imposing a simple good behaviour bond, the seriousness of the offending meant that was not appropriate.
She sentenced Kelly to one year, ten months and 24 days in jail, which was suspended, and placed her on an 18-month good behaviour bond.
Anderson, 25, of Ascot Park, pleaded guilty to trafficking in a commercial quantity of LSD and a large commercial quantity of a highly addictive drug Clonazolam, labelled as Xanax. And, to supplying or administering a drug to another person. In October 2022, Anderson was sentenced to three years, five months and eight days imprisonment with a non-parole period of one year, seven months and eight days.
However, Judge Fuller said his sentence was imposed and suspended by the Chief Judge.
Brandon Chesney, 24
Brandon Chesney, 24, was sentenced to eight months and nine days imprisonment, suspended upon entering a two-year good behaviour bond, for posing as a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Chesney, described as having “narcissistic tendencies,” visited the hospital 13 times without a lawful excuse between April and June 2023.
He administered incorrect medical procedures to a patient, Erin Craig, 23, causing her an allergic reaction.
Chesney pleaded guilty to serious criminal trespass, identity theft, possessing an unregistered firearm, and unlawfully being on premises.
Magistrate Benjamin Sale criticised Chesney’s actions, noting his lack of medical training and the serious nature of his offences, which included stealing medical supplies and treating a vulnerable patient.
Chesney’s apology letters focused more on the impact of his actions on himself rather than expressing genuine remorse.
Rachel Lane, Chesney’s lawyer, stated he was remorseful but struggled to understand his motivations.
The court emphasised the seriousness of his behaviour and the need for Chesney to reflect on his actions and motivations.
Remi Davis Anderson, 22, and Albert James Miller, 24
Anderson, 22, and Miller, 24, were jailed for their role in a violent robbery at a money-exchange shop in Woodville Gardens on May 20, 2022.
The District Court heard Anderson and his friend Ethan Keipert, 25, were persuaded by Nathan Kartinyeri, 28, and Miller to participate in the robbery.
Despite Anderson and Keipert’s hesitation, they became involved in the crime, with the four later driving to the location in a vehicle with altered number plates.
During the robbery, Miller jumped over the counter to steal over $30,000 in cash, while Kartinyeri brandished a machete.
The court heard two female staff members managed to escape, while a third was trapped and instructed not to move.
The entire incident, captured on CCTV, lasted for 45 seconds.
Kartinyeri and Miller stole more than $30,000, sharing $3000 with Anderson and Keipert. The stolen money was never recovered.
Anderson, of Croydon Park, was sentenced to four years and three months in jail, with a non-parole period of two years and two months, for his role as a getaway driver. The sentence was backdated to March 15, 2023.
Miller, from Croydon was found guilty by a jury of robbery after a trial in May. He was jailed for six years and six months, with a non-parole period of four years and three months. The sentence was backdated to September 3, 2022.
Keipert was jailed in 2023 after pleading guilty to robbery. Kartinyeri, of Mansfield Park, was found guilty by a jury of robbery after a trial in May. He was sentenced to four years and three months jail, with a non-parole period of two years and two months.
Shaquile Burgoyne, 25
Shaquile Burgoyne, 25, a South Australian ice hockey player, was sentenced for his role in a brawl outside Adelaide Oval in October 2021, where he delivered a forceful punch that left a newly professional player unconscious and housebound.
The incident occurred around 12.30am as a group left an event at the Oval.
Judge Geraldine Davison described the punch as “life-changing,” leaving the victim reliant on others and unable to leave his home for months.
The altercation began with a drunken brawl involving an uninvited guest, during which Burgoyne punched the victim, causing him to fall and hit his head, rendering him unconscious.
The victim, a promising ice hockey player, suffered severe injuries and lost his independence, relying on strong medication and support from those around him.
Burgoyne, a member of the Kaurna Boomerangs, pleaded guilty to intentionally causing harm.
He was sentenced to two years, four months, and 16 days, with a non-parole period of one year and two months, suspended on a three-year good behaviour bond.
Cameron Zadow, 24
The Murray Bridge man was one of three bikie members sentenced to home detention this month for gathering with other members of a criminal organisation, after a late-night booze run at an Adelaide bottle-o.
Appearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on April 9, Zadow pleaded guilty to being present with two or more criminal organisation participants.
The Banditos bikie attended a party at a CBD apartment building before he was captured on CCTV at a nearby BWS, with two of his other co-accused.
The court heard Zadow was at the BWS for more than half an hour with Michael Resetar and Nathan Englander, and was spotted again around 5.15am with other co-accused.
Three or more members of a declared criminal organisation are prohibited from being present in a public place, under South Australian laws, which holds a penalty of up to three years’ jail.
The men were charged under Section 83GC (1) of the criminal law consolidation act, which declares ten motorcycle clubs as criminal organisations in SA.
On April 9, all three were sentenced to six weeks imprisonment – reduced to one month on home detention. They were prohibited from associating with one another for three months.
Dana Louise Whittaker, 25
The former Basketball SA referee was jailed after she took advantage of her position to prey on a 14-year-old boy, within the basketball community in 2023.
Whittaker and the victim exchanged sexual images with the victim, after befriending each other on Snapchat, a District Court heard during sentencing.
Whittaker was accused on touching him on the thigh, and kissing him for about 10 seconds. Against his parents wishes, Whittaker also gave him a mobile phone.
The pair continued messaging on the app.
His parents became suspicious and messaged Whittaker, who admitted to providing the phone.
They later said their son became withdrawn and depressed since Whittaker’s offending, compared to his usual social bubbly self.
Whittaker, of Woodcroft, was due to face trial in October 2024, however she ended up pleading guilty to aggravated indecent assault of the aspiring teen basketballer.
A charge of aggravated procuring a child for sexual activity was previously withdrawn.
A psychologist opined Whittaker’s offending was sexually motivated and she exploited the victim’s sexual naivety to satisfy her unmet needs for sexual and emotional intimacy.
In February 17 2025 in the District Court, Whittaker was sentenced to one year jail, with a non-parole period of five months – alongside a lifetime ban from Basketball SA.
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