Aaron Pocklington: Teen faces court for alleged Casino fatal brawl

A man allegedly involved in the fatal brawl which killed a teen at the Casino KFC has faced court. Read why he also faced sentence for another matter:

A man allegedly involved in the fatal brawl which killed a teen outside of Casino KFC has faced court.

Aaron John Pocklington, 18, appeared before Kyogle Local Court on Thursday facing charges of affray and using an offensive weapon in company with intent to commit an indictable offence.

The teen was flanked by supporters as he entered the courtroom where he also pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended.

The court heard the teen would remain on bail for the charges concerning the alleged brawl, with an adjournment to August 18 for brief status mention.

Emergency services were called to the busy KFC restaurant on Centre Street in Casino on May 29 after reports of a brawl.

On arrival, officers from Richmond Police District and NSW Ambulance paramedics found multiple teenagers with stab wounds.

Tragically a Canberra boy aged 17 died at the scene.

The teen, who had been working as a labourer on flood-affected homes on the North Coast has been remembered as a “bright” young man with a “lot of life in him”.

18 year old Harrison Hone also suffered injuries and was taken to Lismore Base Hospital.

A 17-year-old has been charged with murder, reckless wounding, and affray over the alleged brawl.

He has not applied for bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance in July.

Mr Pocklington is yet to enter any pleas to the charges of affray and using an offensive weapon in company with intent to commit an indictable offence.

In regards to the traffic offence, Mr Pocklington’s solicitor told the court he had been suspended from owning a licence from January to April of this year when he gained employment in Ballina close to the end of his suspension.

She said he went to inquire about a motorcycle when the owner told him to test drive the bike, which Mr Pocklington did and was later caught by police.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Mr Pocklington was not to “drive for any reason” during his suspension, noting it was about ensuring “public safety”.

Magistrate Crittenden sentenced Mr Pocklington to a conditional release order for three months, without conviction.