Tyler James Martin sentenced in Byron Bay Local Court for damaging cars

A Ballina man missed his court date because he feared going to jail for his offending spree.

A Ballina teen has been sentenced in Byron Bay Court.

A Ballina man has “faced the music” after he avoided court, fearing to he would be sent to jail.

Tyler James Martin pleaded guilty in Byron Bay Local Court on Monday to two counts of larceny, common assault, three counts of destroy or damage property, possessing a prohibited drug, assault occasioning bodily harm and failing to appear.

According to court papers the 19-year-old was riding a bicycle in Ballina on River St when a car braked to avoid hitting him about 4.40pm on January 29.

Martin then approached his first victim and punched him through an open window, before punching the driver’s door and throwing his bike at the back of the car.

About 10 minutes later a taxi driver heard a bang at the back of his car at the intersection of Tamar St and Grant St. Martin had collided with the taxi on his bike.

The taxi driver stopped to check on him, however when Martin approached the car the driver quickly locked his doors fearing he was about to be robbed.

When Martin couldn’t open the door started kicking the door panel and broke a mirror off.

According to court documents, Martin stole a bicycle from the Ballina RSL on February 4, before returning the next day to steal another bicycle from the same place.

The same day he walked into oncoming traffic after leaving the Ballina Centrelink on Tamar St.

A car travelling on the road braked about five metres from him.

He turned to the car waving his hands and swearing before kicking the rear of the car, which caused a dent.

When police arrested him they found 3.91g of cannabis seeds.

About a month later Martin and a friend went to the Henry Rous tavern to pick up his father and take him home.

When Martin’s father requested to go to the bottle shop an argument started which turned violent when Martin punched him in the mouth, causing it to bleed.

The victim then elbowed Martin in the back of the head.

A fight broke out and they threw objects at each other.

In court, defence lawyer Sally McPherson said Martin had some difficulty remembering the offences but said he was hit by two of the cars which invoked his anger.

She described his troubled upbringing and need for mental health assistance.

Ms McPherson said Martin had gone to Tweed instead of to court on October 15 as he feared he was going to go to jail.

She said he eventually started to go back towards Ballina to “face the music”.

After spending three days in custody, Martin was sentenced to a 12 month community corrections order and fined $200.