Teen who ‘intimidated’ and chased Warren Eaton to his death on busy Cairns street sentenced

A teenager who tried to pick a fight with a Manunda father who was “simply trying to go about his existence”, then chased the man onto a busy road where he was struck by a car and killed, should be out of jail before the end of the year.

Warren Eaton, 48, who was chased to his death outside Raintrees Shopping Centre in April 2023, pictured with his family.

A teenager who tried to pick a fight with a Manunda father who was “simply trying to go about his existence”, then chased the man onto a busy road where he was struck by a car and killed, should be out of jail before the end of the year.

The teenager, who is 18 now, but was 16 then, pleaded guilty in the Cairns Supreme Court to one count of manslaughter over the death of Warren Eaton on a busy arterial road outside Raintrees shopping centre on April 1, 2023.

He cannot be identified because of his age.

Justice James Henry described the actions of the boy and his friends as a “cowardly pursuit” and sentenced the boy to four years jail, with eligibility to apply for parole after he has served 60 per cent of the sentence..

As he has already served nearly two years, he will be eligible for release in October this year, the court was told.

In recounting the events that led to Mr Eaton’s death, Justice James Henry said the teenager had been drinking with ‘associates’ outside Raintrees Tavern for the better part of that day and challenged Mr Eaton to a fight.

Warren Eaton, was described by his family as a “humble” man and a “great dad” , who loved rugby league, cricket and “didn’t ask for much”. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Eaton, who had walked to the bottleshop from his home nearby, “held up his hands in a peaceable manner”, the court was told.

“(The teenager) chased after him and, as Mr Eaton moved along, the teenager threw a punch at him ... Mr Eaton stumbled and put his hands up to protect his head.”

Shortly after Mr Eaton fell onto the road, he was struck by a car whose driver was focussed on the group of pursuers at the side of the road, and did not see the man curled up on the roadway until he was just metres away, the court was told.

Mr Eaton died on the roadway from “multiple internal crushing injuries”.

Justice Henry said he accepted the boy had not intended to kill Mr Eaton, but said he was responsible.

“It was he who sought to fight the deceased, and he that threw the first punch ... he deliberately engaged in criminal conduct that ultimately led to the death of Mr Eaton,” Justice Henry said.

Cairns Supreme Court was told the boy had a dysfunctional upbringing, cognitive difficulties and a lengthy criminal history.

The court was told the boy had a lengthy criminal history, starting from the age of 15, where he was convicted for burglaries, stealing, wilful damage, public nuisance and common assaults.

The teenager experienced neglect and violence growing up and had a dysfunctional upbringing, having passed through 24 car homes between the ages of 15 and 16, the court was told.

The boy was also said to have cognitive deficits and ADHD, and had expressed remorse and sadness for what happened, but continued to see violence as a way to solve problems.

Justice Henry said he had to weigh up all these factors, along with the impact on the victim’s family, deterrence and protection of the community in coming to a sentence, which both the prosecution and defence submitted was a range between four and six years.

“Mr Eaton’s death has caused persisting grief and trauma to his loved ones ... the victim impact statement speaks poignantly to that,” Justice Henry said.

Partner of Warren Eaton, Angie, leaves the Cairns District Court after her partner’s killer was sentenced to four years jail for manslaughter. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I emphasise for the benefit of the relatives, about the constraining effects of sentencing someone as a child and not an adult.”

Outside court, his heartbroken partner, Angie, described Mr Eaton in a hand-written statement as as “a great dad and humble man”.

“The family would like to thank everyone that has supported us during this difficult time ... for their unwavering support,” she wrote.

“We miss Warren tremendously ... he was always happy, he was a great dad and he was a humble man who didn’t ask for much.

“He was loved by his family and friends and forever will be — we feel like we have lost a part of ourselves.”

Originally published as Teen who ‘intimidated’ and chased Warren Eaton to his death on busy Cairns street sentenced