Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga, 21, sentenced for violent attack on Toowoomba home
A violent young offender has been caught on camera inciting an attack involving homemade bombs, which he committed while on probation.
Toowoomba
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A violent young offender has faced court after leading a mob armed with molotov cocktails to a Toowoomba resident.
Tyrell Tuitoga pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court following a violent attack on a Harristown home involving two molotov cocktails and threats to kill.
Tuitoga was said to have entered the home’s front yard accompanied by a group of associates in order to start a fight.
“They were calling out for (the victim) to present themselves for a fight,” police prosecutor Rohan Brewster-Webb said.
“(Another victim) has approached them at the gate and the defendant and associates have removed weapons from their person and threatened that victim.”
Two molotov cocktails were then hurled towards that same person.
“One smashing on the ground and catching fire approximately two metres away from the victim,” Mr Brewster-Webb said.
“The second failing to break but splashing the victim with fuel at that time.”
The assault was filmed in a Snapchat story which showed Tuitoga threatening to kill one occupant and the child of the other.
“He has put himself in this position and has chosen to put other’s lives in danger through his actions,” Mr Brewster-Webb said.
No one was seriously injured in the altercation.
The 21-year-old offender was subject to a probation order, community service order and suspended sentence at the time of the attack; for all of which he broke conditions by reoffending.
Queensland Corrective Services representative Sarah Leighton appeared in proceedings to request Tuitoga’s probation and community service orders be revoked and he be resentenced accordingly.
Solicitor Alysha Jacobsen of Bouchier Khan Lawyers appeared for Tuitoga, arguing his criminal behaviour stemmed from a desire to please the wrong crowd.
“Significant issues in his life have been firstly in respect to his mental health,” Ms Jacobsen said.
“It led to him self medicating with cannabis … it also led him to engage with other associates in the area and around his school that were also involved in criminal behaviour.
“Unfortunately he engaged in this type of offending to fit in.”
Ms Jacobsen added Tuitoga had since moved from Toowoomba and was building a better life in Redbank Plains.
Magistrate Mark Howden addressed Tuitoga directly.
“You need to understand if you continue to behave in this way you will go to jail, and you’re very close to going to jail at the moment,” he warned.
Tuitoga was sentenced after pleading guilty to common assault, going armed to cause fear and threatening violence for the Harristown attack.
He also entered guilty pleas and was sentenced for trespass, ten counts of breaching bail, possessing dangerous drug and possessing a knife in public for unrelated offending on top of breaching his probation and community service order.
Tuitoga was given six months imprisonment with immediate parole in relation to the common assault, threatening violence and going armed to cause fear offences.
All other convictions were recorded but not further punished.
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Originally published as Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga, 21, sentenced for violent attack on Toowoomba home
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