Teenager who bashed schoolgirl granted bail over court delays caused by coronavirus
Coronavirus measures continue to disrupt most aspects of public life – now the state has its first defendant granted bail in part due to the pandemic.
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- Girl refused bail because victim still being harassed online
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One of two teenagers who brutally bashed a 13-year-old schoolgirl, knocking out the victim’s teeth, has been granted bail, in part, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The 15-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is believed to be the first inmate in South Australia to successfully use the virus as a circumstance for her release.
On Wednesday, she appeared by video-link in the Adelaide Youth Court, which heard of the effect of coronavirus on the state’s justice system.
The girl and her co-accused have each pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated assault and breaching bail over the attack outside Gilles Plains Shopping Centre on February 4.
She was given police bail but rearrested over an Instagram video in which she threatened to “cave in” the victim’s teeth next time she saw her.
The girl, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was scheduled to face a sentencing hearing on Wednesday but instead made an application for bail, which was not opposed by prosecutors.
Magistrate David White said circumstances had changed since the girl was remanded in custody on February 7.
“There are some major challenges being faced by society at the moment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr White said.
He said sentencing could not proceed because numerous people would be in close contact during the hearing, which would be problematic in the midst of coronavirus restrictions.
“There may be some delays and such delays may mean (the girl) spends time in custody beyond a period for which she would be sentenced for this offence,” Mr White said.
“I also need to take into account (the girl) does have a supportive family.
“Given (the girl) has already spent 48 days in custody and with issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic … and she has no criminal history … special circumstances are established.”
The girl was granted bail under strict conditions and will return to court in May.