Sunshine Coast’s young people who have landed in court
From social media influencers with thousands of followers to apprentice tradies and hoons, these are the people aged 25 and under who have fallen foul of the law on the Sunshine Coast.
Police & Courts
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Young influencers, tradies, hairdressers and others have found themselves in court this year for everything from petty crimes such as stealing to planned attacks and drunken bashings.
See more than 25 people aged 25 and under who have appeared in Sunshine Coast courts this year.
All ages are accurate on the date of sentencing.
No convictions recorded
Isabel Caitlin Turner, 22
A Peregian Beach woman escaped a conviction after she followed a man to a shopping centre car park and attacked him believing he fled a crash.
Isabel Caitlin Turner pleaded guilty to public nuisance and drug-driving with a provisional licence in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 26.
Police prosecutor Michael Quirk said the hairdresser was seen weaving in and out of traffic along Nicklin Way about 1.15pm on July 7 when she stopped abruptly in front of another car and demanded the driver to get out.
The police prosecutor said the car drove off and the woman chased him to a nearby shopping centre car park at Warana, where she began to kick and punch the man’s vehicle, while she yelled for him to get out.
Mr Quirk said when the male driver also got out, Turner attacked him by kicking, scratching and hitting him.
Defence lawyer Patrick Meehan said he was instructed Turner believed there was a minor collision with the vehicle behind her, which was why she approached the victim.
Mr Meehan said she then followed him to the car park because he refused to give her his details and left.
Turner was placed on a six-month probation order, fined $100 and disqualified from driving for three months.
No conviction was recorded.
Samantha Leah Lynch, 18
A Bli Bli teenager had a secret drug deal uncovered by police in her designer Louis Vuitton bag following a search warrant.
Samantha Leah Lynch had her Mount Coolum home raided by police who were in search of another person on July 26.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on August 20 the 18-year-old declared to police only a designer bag belonged to her.
Police prosecutor James Allen said 52g of marijuana in bags, two tablets and an iPhone were found inside, which led to police uncovering a drug deal on the encrypted application Telegram.
Mr Allen said there were talks of meeting on a street corner, continuing to read the texts between the two, which stated “I hope you enjoyed … good smoke ... usually have new strains but need to get rid of some Silver Haze before reload”.
Duty lawyer Breanna Bowtell said Lynch had been medicating for some mental health diagnoses and was struggling financially at the time. She has since left the Mount Coolum home where the drug raid occurred.
Ms Lynch pleaded guilty to five charges including three counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one of supplying dangerous drugs.
Magistrate Rod Madsen sentenced her to 12 months’ probation and no conviction was recorded.
Samuel Thomas Franklin, 24
Marcoola government contractor Samuel Thomas Franklin, 24, pleaded guilty to committing a public nuisance in a licensed premises after a boozy incident at Blackflag Brewing’s Coolum Beach compound on July 3.
Police prosecutor Bec Lambert told the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 31 Franklin was at the venue’s Big Weekend event where he was seen acting in a disorderly manner.
Senior Constable Lambert said he was practising his jiu-jitsu moves on friends and associates, which prompted security to ask him to stop.
The court heard Franklin continued to interfere with other patrons and refused to leave, ultimately being physically escorted out.
The police prosecutor said the Marcoola man then started a fight with the guards by resisting their efforts, and even bit one of them on their hands.
Defence lawyer Belinda Robinson tendered character references to the court and said the government contractor was remorseful for his conduct.
Franklin was fined $750 with no conviction recorded.
Lachie Porter, 20
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Mooloolaba influencer Lachie Porter swindled a Northern Rivers woman out of almost $200 through a Facebook Marketplace deal over an Apple iPhone 12.
Police prosecutor Jeanette Grigoris said the 20-year-old, who has more than 7000 followers on Instagram and 23,000 on TikTok, spoke to the prospective buyer and agreed to sell the phone for $370 and post it to her.
The woman paid $185 upfront for the iPhone and agreed to transfer the rest once she received it but Porter then removed the online advertisement and failed to post the phone.
Officers spoke to Porter on July 3 this year, who said he did not think he received the money from the victim and sold the iPhone to someone else.
When he was shown the bank transfer which depicted the woman’s transfer to Porter, he had no answer other than to say it was “wrong” for what he did.
Duty lawyer Cherisse Breese said she was instructed when Porter removed the ad following the phone’s sale it deleted the messages, however the apprentice admitted he should’ve tried harder to contact the victim.
Porter pleaded guilty to fraud by dishonestly gaining a benefit and was fined $350. He must also pay $185 compensation to the victim.
No conviction was recorded.
Jayden Keith Ashworth, 19
Caloundra Magistrates Court heard Currimundi mechanic Jayden Keith Ashworth, 19, had a blood-alcohol content reading of 0.160 per cent at hospital following his arrest for drink-driving.
Police prosecutor Stu Lydford retold the teenager’s antics after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and obstructing police while adversely affected on July 25.
Sergeant Lydford said police intercepted Ashworth driving along Caloundra Rd at Caloundra about 3am on June 22 and observed him to be “grossly affected by some substance.”
The court heard the Currimundi man tried to pull away when he was taken out of the vehicle, and acted as dead weight when he was arrested and put into the police vehicle.
Defence lawyer Alex Collins said the teen mechanic, who had no criminal history, hoped to move to New Zealand for a more supportive environment.
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist fined Ashworth a total of $1050, disqualified him from driving for six months and ordered the teenager complete 40 hours of community service.
No conviction was recorded for obstructing police, but a traffic conviction was recorded for the drink-driving charge.
Maya Mary-Anne Murray, 21
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on July 8 the opportunistic break-in by a trio that included Maya Mary-Anne Murray at Lifepointe Baptist Church on Wises Rd in the early hours of June 19.
She pleaded guilty to entering a premises and committing an indictable offence.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles said Murray arrived with her two co-accused about 4.40am in a vehicle when they drove to the rear of the property and opened a shed.
The court heard Murray removed a large pot plant and an artificial plant from the shed and put them in their car.
During the bizarre caper, the police arrived about 4.50am and found the 21-year-old with her two co-accused.
Duty lawyer Michael Robinson said Murray made a bit of a “poor choice” on the night, where he was instructed the group actually went to the church to drop off clothes for charity collection from Murray’s understanding.
The duty lawyer said the Wurtulla woman normally worked as a bartender and cleaner, and did not have offences of dishonesty on her criminal history.
She was fined $350 and no conviction was recorded.
Orrick Walter Bain, 19
Disturbing footage of a park bashing was played to Maroochydore District Court on July 15 after Orrick Walter Bain, 19, pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company.
The apprentice and two others lured the victim to a Baringa football field on July 20, 2023 after the court heard the complainant had reportedly pulled a knife on one of Bain’s co-accused’s mates in the weeks beforehand.
Crown prosecutor Erica Zammit then played a video of the incident, where Bain can be seen using a skateboard to savagely beat the victim three times after the co-accused started the bashing.
They left the scene with the man’s wallet, shoes, shoulder bag, knife, jumper, sunglasses and chain.
Ms Zammit said the victim suffered a 6cm cut to his scalp which exposed the bone and required staples. The court heard the victim also suffered bruising to his cheek, forearms and wrist.
Defence barrister Mark Dixon said the other co-accused was the “architect” of the violent robbery with Bain being “led” by a more experienced offender.
Mr Dixon said the Noosaville teen was homeless and started living with his co-accused, falling into criminal behaviour but has since started an apprenticeship.
Bain was placed on a three-year probation order and must perform 180 hours’ community service. He was also ordered to pay $2000 in compensation to the victim.
No conviction was recorded.
Murphy Joseph Gunn, 18
Murphy Joseph Gunn incriminated himself after multiple videos were found on his phone and social media of him performing dangerous burnouts in front of spectators and with passengers in his car.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard his offending took place across multiple suburbs including Cooroy, Woombye, Pacific Paradise, Pomona and Corbould Park between September and October last year.
The 18-year-old was charged with seven counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and pleaded guilty to them in court on July 16.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles said video showed how Gunn’s driving put nearby pedestrians and passengers in harm’s way.
Gunn’s dangerous hobby was discovered when his electronic devices were seized and analysed after a raid on his home by police.
Defence lawyer Rose Killip said Gunn was part of a large group of offenders charged.
Ms Killip plainly admitted it was “stupid offending” by a group of boys, and said one of the biggest victims was his mum.
The court heard Gunn used his parent’s $12,000 car for all of his burnouts which led to it being impounded by police. Ms Killip said it was unlikely it would be returned.
Gunn was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for one year. No conviction was recorded.
Tammin Lange, 19, Eloise Starr Peacock, 20
Maroochydore District Court heard a love interest acted as the catalyst for the violent bashing at the hands of Tammin Lange, 19, Eloise Starr Peacock, 20 and a female juvenile.
The pair pleaded guilty to assault in company, wilful damage and stealing in court on July 15.
Crown prosecutor Nicola Hamilton said Lange became upset when she discovered the victim was romantically involved with a boy she liked.
Ms Hamilton said the trio escorted her to a nearby park last year and the juvenile punched the victim in the face multiple times and pulled her to the ground by her hair.
She got up, however, and the court heard Peacock joined the assault by pulling the girl back to the ground. The juvenile and Peacock then kicked her to the ribs.
Lange did not join the assault but had filmed several seconds of the incident and she eventually told the pair to stop.
They broke the victim’s AirPods and stole her vape, phone charger, pocket knife and some coins.
“That’s what you get for kissing (boy’s name),” the group told the victim as they left.
Ms Hamilton said the victim suffered swelling and cuts to her nose, bruising to her eyes, swelling and grazing to her lip and cheek and bruising to other parts of her body.
Defence barrister Mark Dixon said Lange has since left the Sunshine Coast to get away from a friend group leading her down a “bad path”.
Defence barrister Lily Brisick, acting for Peacock, said her client was not friends with the victim and was instructed the 20-year-old felt “stupid” for coming along that day.
They were each sentenced to an 18-month probation order and 70 hours’ community service with no convictions recorded.
Peacock must also pay $200 compensation for the AirPods.
Tylah Ann Shorter, 19
Tylah Ann Shorter, 19, appeared in the Caloundra Magistrates Court on June 18 and pleaded guilty to one count of serious assault against a person over the age of 60 and one of committing a public nuisance offence.
Shorter has about 39,500 followers on her TikTok page featuring lip sync videos.
Police prosecutor Stephen Potter told the court the incident occured at a pizza shop on Moreton Parade, Caloundra on February 3 where her co-offender began acting aggressively towards staff, falsely claiming she ordered and paid for a pizza.
Sergeant Potter said the owner offered to make the pair a pizza in order to calm them down but the pair became verbally abusive again as they waited for their order to be made.
The court heard the owner began to shut them out of the shop and it was at this moment Shorter punched the man in the face, knocking off his glasses which broke on the floor.
Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper told the court his client had written letters of apology and completed an alcohol and anger management program prior to her sentencing.
She put Shorter on 18 months’ probation and ordered her to complete 150 hours of community service.
Ms Ellis also ordered her to pay $180 to compensate for the broken glasses and $250 in restitution.
Convictions were not recorded.
Manu Matangi Faiva, 19
Manu Matangi Faiva pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 24 to one count of committing a public nuisance offence.
Police prosecutor Michael Quirk told the court Faiva had been involved in a fight in a carpark near Old Soul bar on Ocean St on June 9 about 2.30am.
Police officers approached Faiva who was not wearing a shirt and was “very agitated,” Mr Quirk told the court.
Faiva, who was in company of two other people, tried to follow the other man to “continue the fight” despite his companions and police attempting to talk him out of it.
“I can’t stop him, he gets like this when he’s drunk,” one of Faiva’s companions had told police.
Mr Quirk said police had attempted to arrest Faiva who physically resisted before police managed to restrain him.
Duty lawyer Cherisse Breese said the 19-year-old had “learned his lesson” on his alcohol limit after the incident.
She told the court Faiva currently works as a solar panel installer and is completing courses to pursue his goal of working in the mines.
Faiva was fined $500 and a conviction was not recorded.
Bailey J Kenny, 22
Bailey J Kenny admitted in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 24 he couldn’t remember the night at all after drinking for eight straight hours on June 1.
The Buderim man, who pleaded guilty to public nuisance, was seen along the infamous Ocean St party strip near the Post Office Bar about 2.30am by officers.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles said officers suggested Kenny should go home but a short time later they were called to a disturbance outside Sol Bar where they saw Kenny in a loud verbal argument with other punters.
The court heard Kenny was trying to provoke another man to fight him while pushing and grabbing him. Police took the 22-year-old to the Uber rank near the Big Top Shopping Centre after he was arrested and told him to leave the area.
Not long after this encounter, police were called back to the rank about 3.20am where Kenny was seen shouting obscene language, punching vehicles as they drove past and threatening to fight more people.
Kenny told acting magistrate Anna Smith he used to work as a concreter and hoped to start his own fishing trawler. He said he hadn’t drunk in the six months leading to his June 1 bender.
He was fined $500 with no conviction recorded.
Cain Michael Lightbody, 21
A Sunshine Coast aspiring businessman who “flung” a woman around by the hair has found solace in religion to help himself, a court has heard.
Cain Michael Lightbody, 21, appeared in Maroochydore District Court on May 27 and pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.
He was discharged of an identical charge.
Crown prosecutor Madalyn Olivero told the court the assault came after an occasion where the victim - a woman who was taking care of her son - said she didn’t appreciate a comment he had made.
When the woman attempted to leave, Mr Lightbody grabbed her hair whilst she was holding her son and “flung her around” causing the woman to fall to the floor, the court heard.
Ms Olivero said he kicked her twice to the back while she was down.
The court heard Mr Lightbody then pinned the woman to the ground, knocking into her son in the process.
She was taken to hospital for pain to her chest, hand, finger and bruise to her leg.
Defence lawyer Matthew Cooper told the court his client had found religion and began to exercise regularly which has helped him to remain calm.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ probation and no convictions were recorded.
Farrah Mary Browne, 18
Farrah Mary Browne pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on April 12 to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, two of common assault and one of entering a vehicle to commit an indictable offence at night.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin told the court Browne was intoxicated at a McDonald’s drive-through on January 21 and the victims’ car was behind her in the queue.
He said she heard an unknown person yell abuse so Browne had approached the car and the victim - who was about to pass out drunk - was suddenly punched in the face multiple times by Browne.
Mr McLaughlin said the victim had to undergo surgery to reset her nose to its original shape.
Defence lawyer Rose Killip said her client had admitted the matter to police right away and she had issues managing her anger and alcohol impaired her judgement and control.
Mr Laughlin sentenced Browne to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.
She was ordered to pay $2000 in compensation and convictions were not recorded.
Convictions recorded
Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia, 20
Bodhi Vincenzo Amendolia was told by a magistrate he must have been “dreaming” if he thought officers were going to believe his explanation following the search in his home on July 30, 2023.
Police prosecutor James Allen told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on August 20 police raided his home in relation to drugs and uncovered a homemade firearm with a shotgun round.
The 20-year-old told police his friend left it at his house.
When handling the weapon, Amendolia told police “don’t push that into there”, indicating the officer should not put the parts together.
Mr Allen said when officers asked Amendolia why, he said if it was the weapon his mate left there it would “blow out the cartridge pellet”.
Duty lawyer Breanna Bowtell submitted for Amendolia to not receive an additional sentence due to the previous punishment for the same incident.
Magistrate Rod Madsen told Amendolia no one was “going to cop” the explanation Amendolia gave police about the gun being a mate’s.
The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a weapon and was convicted. He was however not further punished.
Harrison Ethan Desmond Farley, 24
Former Kenilworth drug dealer Harrison Ethan Desmond Farley pleaded guilty to more than a dozen charges in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on July 30 after he spat on police.
The offences included six counts of breaching bail, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, one of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and serious assault of police by biting or spitting.
The most serious offences occurred on April 14 at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital at Birtinya after he was found “completely off [his] head on drugs”.
The court heard he behaved violently against the nursing staff who called police.
Farley continued to lash out violently with his legs and arms. Police struggled to bring him under control.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the Kenilworth man started to make noises indicating he was gathering saliva in his mouth, and was warned by officers and nurse staff to stop.
He then spat a “ball of flem” onto a police officer, which narrowly missed his face but ended up on his shirt.
Defence lawyer Michael Robinson said the former cabinet maker and labourer struggled with drugs and had lost his employment because of it.
Farley was given a head sentence of six months and 14 days’ jail with immediate release on parole.
Fleur Annabelle Iris Aveline, 21
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Fleur Annabelle Iris Aveline, 21, was more than four times the legal blood alcohol limit when she was arrested following the single vehicle smash on July 6 at Palmview.
She pleaded guilty on July 29 to driving under the influence. She pleaded not guilty to two other charges of common assault and wilful damage.
Police prosecutor Michael Quirk said the Sippy Downs woman was found by police at the scene of the accident near the intersection of Harmony Blvd and Tranquility Way about 9.45pm.
The Sippy Downs woman denied to police she was the driver and said the accident happened an hour beforehand and came back to move the car.
Aveline submitted to a breath test at the station and returned a reading of 0.223 per cent.
Duty lawyer Rachel Holland said the university student accepted her offending, and stated the 21-year-old was on a “bender” following a break up.
Aveline was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for one year. A traffic conviction was recorded.
The 21-year-old’s trial date on her separate charges was set for October 14.
Tyla Grace Cook and Bae Stephen Gallop, both 20
A glamorous Sunshine Coast influencer and her boyfriend have been taken off the road for leaving the scene of an accident before they took turns drink driving home.
Tyla Grace Cook and Bae Stephen Gallop, both 20, were drinking at the Kawana Waters Hotel at Minyama on June 15 when she decided to drive them home in a Ford Ranger.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Cook, who has almost 30,000 followers on Instagram, was witnessed sideswiping another vehicle in the car park while she was driving about 8pm.
Shortly after the accident, Mr Allen said Cook pulled over and swapped seats with Gallop, who then drove home.
Gallop blew 0.123 per cent while Cook blew 0.127 per cent, the court heard.
The Buderim woman and Parrearra man pleaded guilty to driving over the middle alcohol limit in court July 5, while Cook pleaded to an additional charge of failing to comply with duties of drivers involved in a crash.
Cook was fined a total of $1550 and disqualified from driving for six months and was granted a restricted work licence.
Gallop was fined $650 and disqualified for four months. Traffic convictions were recorded.
Garrett John Randall Plummer, 23
A Sunshine Coast civil construction worker has been criticised for his “abhorrent revenge” on a past Tinder match after he posted her nude photo on Reddit.
Garrett John Randall Plummer never met his dating app flame however he exchanged a series of intimate photos with her in 2021 and 2022.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard in July Plummer and the woman eventually unmatched and “unfollowed” one another.
Fast forward to May 4 this year when the 23-year-old saved the victim’s naked photo and while drinking posted it on public forum Reddit.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Shane Raison said the photo was placed in a “mature content” internet group with 22,000 members, who would’ve had “unfettered use” of the image.
He was charged with one count of distributing intimate images, to which he pleaded guilty.
Defence lawyer Alex Collins said Plummer had no criminal history and recognised the toll his act had on the victim, and was deeply ashamed and remorseful.
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist placed Plummer on a two and a half year probation order and a conviction was recorded.
Emily Jane Gannon, 25
Emily Jane Gannon was driving to her partner’s home along Taintons Rd at Woombye on the evening of May 2 when she decided to use her phone, which was on the centre console.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard on May 27 the 25-year-old was trying to enter the PIN code to her phone to read a message when she realised her car was drifting onto the opposite side of the road.
Police prosecutor Tara Miles said due to this distraction the Woombye woman’s vehicle rolled into the ditch. She thankfully suffered no injuries.
Officers arrived at the crash site and found the car lying on its side and spoke to Gannon at the scene, who later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.117 per cent.
Gannon, who represented herself, said she was deeply remorseful for her behaviour on that night and for being on her phone.
She pleaded guilty to mid range drink driving and driving without due care and attention.
Gannon was fined $1000 and given a head licence disqualification for five months.
Traffic convictions were recorded.
Layla Janice Lee Kelk, 25
Cooroy woman Layla Janice Lee Kelk, 25, appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court for Murri Court on April 18 and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm in public whilst affected by alcohol, assault occasioning bodily harm, committing a public nuisance offence and breaching bail.
Magistrate Chris Callaghan told the court on January 15, 2023 Kelk approached and yelled at a 50-year-old woman for an unknown reason outside a Hastings St establishment.
She ran towards the victim and punched her in the face, causing her to fall and break her arm, then punched and kicked her on the ground, leaving her with abrasions, a fractured arm and a bruised hip, the court heard.
A second assault related to a 19-year-old security guard who was “stomped on” by Kelk outside the Aqua Lounge and Nightclub – formerly the Rolling Rock – on Hastings St on August 27, 2023.
Defence lawyer Rod Morgan said his client expressed remorse early on and sent apology letters to the victims, and has actively engaged in seeking services to make necessary changes in her life.
She was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for 12 months and to 40 hours of community service.
She was also banned from any establishments which sell liquor for 12 months and she was ordered to pay a total of $2000 compensation to the victims.
Jyrah James Dittman, 21
Jyrah James Dittman’s supporters breathed a sigh of relief in the Maroochydore District Court on April 29 after they were told he would serve no time in custody for the attack which left his victim with a broken jaw.
The court heard Dittman was drinking at Ocean St on March 5 last year when there was a verbal altercation between his group and another.
Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said CCTV captured the moment the victim pointed at something before Dittman punched him in the jaw with his right fist.
The victim ate pureed for two months following the incident.
Defence barrister Lachlan Ygoa-McKeown said Dittman rarely drinks and was out for a friend’s birthday on the night of the attack.
Dittman has since found permanent work as a roofer and showed remorse for his actions in a letter of apology to the court.
He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was jailed for two years, but it was suspended immediately for three years.
Dittman was also ordered to pay $5000 compensation to the victim.
Chloe Jena Axford, 25
A young Sunshine Coast mum sobbed and begged for her partner to not let her go after she was sentenced to jail over a grim find.
Chloe Jena Axford, 25, faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on April 2, where she pleaded guilty to possessing a category R weapon and possessing schedule 8 medicines or poison.
The court was told the weapon was an electric antipersonnel device - such as a stun gun or a stun baton - and was found on top of Axford’s fridge in her Nambour home on September 6, 2023, the same day the medicines were found by police.
Lawyer Ben Rynderman said a letter from her employer described her as a “valuable employee”, while a letter from her mother detailed how her daughter had once been on a destructive path but within the last year had a “substantial change” and was now on the straight and narrow.
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist sentenced the woman to two months in prison, with a parole eligibility date of that same day.
The woman could be heard crying “no, no, no” before she was led by a police officer to the corner of the court room near the dock.
Her partner then approached her and hugged her while she said “don’t let me go”.
Riley Filip Cantarella, 19
Riley Filip Cantarella was only a few months on from his 18th birthday when he shattered a 20-year-old man’s jaw at Maroochydore’s Safe Night Precinct on October 15, 2022.
Crown prosecutor Rhys Byrne told Maroochydore District Court on April 2 the victim “felt a crack in his mouth” and was bleeding in the seconds following the strike.
The court heard Cantarella was drunk about 2am when the victim and a female friend walked past and exchanged words due to the victim thinking Cantarella made a derogatory comment towards his friend.
In CCTV shown to the court, the victim walked towards Cantarella and asked what he said when Cantarella punched the 20-year-old in the jaw.
He suffered a number of facial injuries with the most serious being displaced fractures to his jaw. The victim underwent surgery days later where one of his teeth was removed.
Defence barrister Nathan Turner said the apprentice chippy was drinking excessively at the time and was going through personal issues in the lead up to the attack.
Cantarella pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm in a public place while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance and was jailed for 18 months.
This was suspended immediately for 18 months.
He was also ordered to pay $5000 to the victim and perform 60 hours community service.
Joseph James Mackenzie, 19
Noticeable sighs of relief were heard in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 19 by supporters of Joseph James Mackenzie after he was given a suspended sentence for his gross act on a police officer on September 9, 2023.
Police prosecutor Brendan Newman told the court the officer felt “disgusted and violated” when the teenager spat at him, which went “everywhere” including his eyes and mouth, with most of it landing on his cheek.
The court was told the officer underwent a disease test which meant his home life had to change until his results came back.
Sergeant Newman said the Clontarf teenager was “misbehaving” in the safe night precinct in Maroochydore and accepted it was an “isolated” incident.
Defence lawyer Rose Killip said the offending was “out of character” for the teenager who had feelings of “guilt and shame”.
The court heard Mackenzie looked into assistance for alcohol rehabilitation and counselling. He also wrote a letter of apology to the officer.
The Clontarf man was sentenced to eight months’ jail, suspended for 24 months. He must also pay $1000 compensation to the officer.
Mackenzie pleaded guilty to charges of serious assaulting police and public nuisance.
Charlie Phillip Want, 25
Charlie Phillip Want, 25, gave himself up to police three days after a disturbing incident where he grabbed the arm of a young girl and tried to take her to a park in Baringa on March 18, 2023.
The former construction worker pleaded guilty to attempted child stealing and failing to comply with reporting obligations in the Maroochydore District Court on March 14.
Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the girl and her friend were walking along the street when they were approached by Want who asked if she wanted to go to the park.
The facts state the victim was reluctant before he grabbed her arm and pulled her down the street while the young girl told him to stop.
Want was heard saying “I wish I could get a kid”, the court was told.
Luckily a concerned neighbour saw what was happening and yelled out to Want, who fled the scene.
Defence barrister James Feely said Want spent a lengthy time in custody and said jail wasn’t a “place he likes to be”.
Mr Feely said the 25-year-old gained insight into his conduct and had received mental health treatment in custody.
Want was jailed for three years with a parole release date of June 21.
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