Dane Henry Larsen in Maroochydore court for wilful damage, obstructing police
A landscaping apprentice faced court after he was seen ripping branches off an established tree before running from police and being tackled.
Sunshine Coast
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A teen landscaper’s attack on a tree has been deemed “pretty humorous” by a police prosecutor after he was seen ripping branches before running from the law.
Police prosecutor Mick Ruddiman said police were patrolling Maroochydore Rd when they saw Dane Henry Larsen, 18, snapping branches off an established tree on March 12, 2022 at midday.
“Police observed two other males cheering him on,” Sergeant Ruddiman told the court.
“Police yelled at the males to stop what they were doing, despite this they took more of the tree, they all ran off down a driveway.”
Sergeant Ruddiman said one of the males was still carrying a piece of the tree as the group ran away.
Larsen was the only one of his friends that was caught by police and tackled to the ground.
Mr Ruddiman labelled the whole situation as “humorous” given Larsen’s job as a first year landscaping apprentice, but said the tree probably didn’t think it was funny.
Larsen represented himself in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to wilful damage and obstructing police.
Magistrate Raelene Ellis sentenced Larsen to a three month good behaviour bond of $150.
No conviction was recorded.
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