Jaidan James Dahlen sentenced for 38 charges in Noosa Magistrates Court
A teen’s mother wiped away tears as a video of her son and four others violently bashing and robbing a Noosa Heads tourist in broad daylight was played to a courtroom.
Police & Courts
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The mother of a Tewantin teenager wiped away tears and watched in horror as a video of her son violently attacking a young interstate tourist in broad daylight was played in a Noosa court.
Jaidan James Dahlen, 18, and four other men kicked, punched and robbed a 14-year-old Victorian tourist near a Noosa Heads shopping centre.
Dahlen, who was supported by his mother and a friend, pleaded guilty to more than 38 charges on Tuesday, November 7, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, break and enters, public nuisance, wilful damage, attempted fraud, receive tainted property, stealing, breach of bail and trespassing.
Noosa Magistrates Court was told Dahlen, who was 18 at the time of committing the offences, had committed a slew of crimes across the Noosa region in January and between June and October.
These included affray, stealing several vehicles, attempting to pay for fuel with a stolen card and trying to break into cars to steal golf cart keys at the Noosa Golf Club, the court was told.
But the worst of the bunch, the court was told, was when Dahlen and a pack of other “youths” were filmed unleashing on the teenager at Sunshine Beach Rd in Noosa Heads on September 24, 2023.
The video showed a boy cowering in the corner while five people, all with their backs to the camera, kick and punch him.
The attackers are heard yelling things like “bash him”, before they take the boys shoes, hat and jewellery.
Police prosecutor David Hoffman said Dahlen’s house was searched on October 10, however the 18-year-old said he gave the jewellery to someone else.
Senior sergeant Hoffmann said Dahlen had pleaded guilty because of the overwhelming evidence more than out of remorse.
Lawyer Ben Rynderman said his client had suffered some traumatic situations, including a violent home invasion where a gun was held to his head and being physically attacked for his achievements as a former dancer and gymnast.
Mr Rynderman said this, combined with a diagnosis of ADHD and depressive disorder, as well as drug misuse, had led to “compulsive, reckless and criminal behaviour”.
Dahlen had hopes of working in hospitality, the court was told, but was still trying to work out his other aspirations in life.
He was given 18 months probation and convictions were recorded.
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