Townsville Cleveland Youth Detention Centre rioters face more jail time if found guilty
THE 20 young criminals who rioted in a Queensland youth detention centre for more than 12 hours could face years behind bars if found guilty.
QLD News
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THE 20 young criminals who rioted in Townsville’s Cleveland Youth Detention Centre for more than 12 hours ending yesterday could face years behind bars if found guilty.
It is believed police are looking at charging all of them with rioting causing grievous bodily harm after four youth workers were seriously injured, including one man who has lost vision in an eye after being hit with a rock.
The youth worker was waiting to undergo surgery yesterday afternoon, with his wife Susan Oaklands saying he had permanently lost vision in one of his eyes after he was hit with a rock and forced to wait for nearly two hours before being rescued by armed police.
“He has fractures in his cheek bones and has lost permanent vision in one of his eyes, he hasn’t had surgery yet, he’s waiting for emergency surgery,” Mrs Oaklands said.
“He is going to have lifelong injuries.”
Deputy Commissioner Peter Martin said the riot was a “particularly violent scene” and condemned the behaviour of the young criminals as “completely abhorrent and disgusting’’.
Indigenous elder Professor Gracelyn Smallwood yesterday said more elders were needed in Townsville as it was “painfully obvious these damaged children are out of youth justice control’’.
In a letter to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, she said more “culturally appropriate people” needed to be employed at the detention centre.
“This situation can be brought under control with well-respected members of our community,’’ she wrote.
“We view these events with alarm and our confidence in the Palaszczuk Government’s handling of indigenous affairs is eroding daily.’’
Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor said 63 police attended the riot. Charges are expected to be laid next week.
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