Ashton Ronald Pitt in court for armed robbery

A young man who robbed and stabbed an “innocent” teenager on a Hervey Bay bike path did so because he wrongly believed he was avenging another crime.

Aston Ronald Pitt was sentenced at Hervey Bay District Court on August 9, 2023

A young man who cut a 16-year-old boy with a knife after wrongly suspecting him of stealing his brother’s bike pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay District Court on Wednesday.

Ashton Ronald Pitt, 19, was convicted of armed robbery with wounding and was sentenced to three years jail, to be released on parole on Thursday, September 7.

The court heard that on March 7, 2023, Pitt learned his brother’s bicycle had been stolen and approached his neighbour about the matter who subsequently drove him around looking for the bike.

Pitt was dropped off at Boat Harbour Drive where he confronted the victim on a bike path, the court was told.

He demanded the victim hand over the bike as well as other belongings.

A fight then ensued which resulted in Pitt “slashing” the victim’s left bicep with the knife, leaving an inch-deep, 4cm wide laceration.

Pitt was subsequently arrested on March 10, 2023.

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In disbelief over his action Pitt than said “what have I done” to his neighbour who picked him up, the court heard.

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Defence lawyer Tristan Carlos said the incident which resulted in “an innocent young man being set upon” could have been prevented.

Despite that Pitt was a young man who had shown remorse and the attack was not targeted or premeditated, Mr Carlos told the court.

He said Pitt had faced multiple issues with his life that contributed as mitigating factors to his behaviour including leaving school in Year 10 and being “diagnosed with ADHD and depression”.

Pitt had been denied access to his depression medication, Tizanidine, which had left him “struggling to sleep at night,” he said.