Teen involved in Woolies attack, busted with stolen alcohol
A Hervey Bay teen who was involved in an attack on a man outside Woolworths was also sentenced in relation to an incident involving a stolen vehicle.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A teenager who was involved in an attack on a man outside Woolworths has been sentenced to six months’ probation.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company, stealing, unlawful use of a vehicle and receiving tainted property when he faced Hervey Bay District Court on Thursday.
The court heard in the first instance, the teen, along with two others, had attacked a young man who was waiting for his girlfriend to finish work outside Woolworths in Pialba.
The other offenders with the teen had thrown a scooter and a bolt cutter during the attack on the man, the court was told.
In a separate incident, the teenager’s fingerprints were found inside a Mercedes Benz that had been stolen from a Point Vernon property, the court heard.
The teen had later been connected to a break-in at a hotel in which $750 had been stolen, as well as alcohol and charity tins.
MORE NEWS: New sinkhole opens up near barge landing at Inskip Point
The court heard the teen had been found with a quantity of the stolen alcohol at his home.
The teen did not go to school, the court was told, and struggled with structured and busy environments.
He had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of childhood traumas, the court heard.
But despite his prejudiced background, the teen had an enormous amount of potential and the unwavering support of his grandmother, the court was told.
A letter from his grandmother had been submitted to the court, explaining the teenager’s background.
Judge Michael Burnett said the teen needed to distance himself from negative associates.
He said it was unfortunate the teen had disengaged with formal education and he hoped he found his way back to it in the interests of his future employment prospects.
Mr Burnett urged the teen to “do something positive now”.
The teenager was sentenced to six months’ probation and no convictions were recorded.
Hospital, Macca’s: Predator’s brazen sexual assaults, stalking
“Are you sure you don’t want some of this?”, a Qld creep said in one of four frightening ambushes where multiple women were sexually assaulted in public places.
Call to ban character references for violent criminals
Queensland’s Victims’ Commissioner has called for character references to no longer be considered by courts in all violent offences, not just rapists or those who perpetrate sexual assault.