West Ballina teen Byron Kelly, 19, charged after alleged shopping centre hammer attack
A teen has been charged and faced court after allegedly using a hammer to bash a man in an unprovoked attack at a Ballina shopping centre.
Police & Courts
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A teenager has been accused of attacking a man with a hammer at a Ballina shopping centre.
West Ballina’s Byron Kelly faced Byron Bay Local Court by videolink on Monday.
The 19-year-old has been charged with one count each of assault causing actual bodily harm, going armed with the intention of committing an indictable offence, larceny and affray.
No pleas have been entered.
The West Ballina man allegedly used a hammer in an unprovoked attack on the man at Ballina Fair Shopping Centre about 7.30pm on May 19.
It’s alleged Kelly stole the victims iPhone while in the company of a co-offender.
Police prosecutor Kadene Connery told the court there was a degree of planning involved in the alleged offending.
“A hammer was used as a weapon in an unprovoked attack on a bystander,” she said.
“An aggravating factor is that the assailant was in company during the assault.”
Defence lawyer Kylie Anderson Clark said Kelly came before the court with a limited criminal history.
“He is a young vulnerable indigenous man … he has a cognitive impairment and required a teacher’s aide in school,” she said.
“If he is released, he can reside with his stepmother.”
Magistrate Karen Stafford granted bail.
She said if Kelly ends up being convicted he can expect to receive jail-time.
Kelly is due to return to the court on June 15.
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