Family’s wild bashing of neighbour, false paedophile accusations revealed in an Ipswich court

A court has heard how a Riverview man participated in the brutal bashing of his sister’s neighbour in an act of “random, unacceptable” violence.

A court has heard how a group of siblings broke into a man’s house, assaulted him and made wild false accusations of paedophilia.

Steelcraft framer Riley Jay West, 22, appeared in Ipswich District Court on July 21, 2022, charged with breaking into a home in company with property damage, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed or in company, and stealing.

He pleaded guilty to all three charges on July 12, 2022.

The court heard that on January 3, 2020, Riley West’s older sister Wendy West had an argument with her neighbour in Goodna.

Judge Michael Kent said the neighbour suggested as Wendy West walked past his house that children should not associate with her and her family.

Judge Kent commented this was an “excellent call” considering what happened next.

He said Wedny West was offended and told the neighbour that she would “get the boys”.

Riley Jay West leaving the Ipswich courthouse on July 21, 2022.

The court heard that later that day she returned with Riley West and two other family members, armed with a steel bar.

The court heard they allegedly jumped over the fence, broke in through the front door and smashed a radio inside the house.

They then allegedly surrounded the victim in the backyard and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

Court heard Riley West was not physically involved in the assault but that he joined members of his family in screaming at the victim and making false allegations that he was a paedophile.

Judge Kent said Riley West was “still a party to [the violence]” and that his family members‘ alleged physical actions were likely encouraged by his words.

Further, he said there was “no suggestion in the material that [the neighbour] had done anything wrong”.

The court heard that witnesses intervened, and the police arrested Riley West later that day.

Riley West told the police at the time that he had witnessed the assault but attempted to break it up, and he was released on bail.

The victim suffered a range of injuries including bruising, abrasions, a haematoma and, most seriously, a fracture to his left eye.

The victim’s phone was also reported to have been stolen during the incident.

Riley West’s lawyer Cecelia Bernardin noted his young age and that he had been on bail for the last two years without any breaches or further offending.

Judge Kent said the offending was “random, unacceptable and serious violence,” but he accepted that Wendy West was the main instigator.

The court heard Wendy West’s matters were still before the court, and that there was currently a warrant for the arrest of another alleged co-offender.

Riley West was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for the count of burglary by break-in in company with property damage and was immediately released on parole.

He was further sentenced to 200 hours of community service, and convictions were recorded.