Benjamin Thompson: Helensburgh teen on assault charges bailed

Wollongong Local Court sees shocking vision leading up to an alleged assault in Helensburgh in February.

A teenager charged with a series of violent offences from earlier this year was granted bail in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday.

Benjamin Thompson, 19, is facing five charges including being armed with the intention of committing an indictable offence, destroying or damaging property, common assault and two counts of wounding a person with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The charges stem from the early hours of Monday, February 21, when an allegedly intoxicated and drug-affected Thompson was arrested in the northern Illawarra township of Helensburgh after allegedly damaging a man’s car and stabbing them, and another man with a knife.

Police prosecutor Ben Bragger asked for footage from the incident to be shown to the court in order for Magistrate Michael O‘Brien to have an appreciation of the seriousness of the event.

An iron bar is waved around in the video, allegedly by Thompson, with a voice heard unleashing a threatening tirade of abuse.

“Come here little f****t c***,” a voice can be heard saying.

“I‘m the hero in this street. You’re dead meat paedophile c***. I didn’t rape him when he was a kid.”

The voice can also be heard threatening to stab the victim/s and cut their head off.

Benjamin Thompson appeared in Wollongong Local Court via video link.

Thompson appeared in court via video link from the South Coast Correctional Centre having been there since being arrested six weeks ago.

The 19-year-old had four supporters in the court, including his mother and grandfather, to hear Magistrate Michael O‘Brien deliver the bail review.

“It‘s readily apparent you’re before the court for a serious offence and if you’re convicted you will face a serious penalty,” Magistrate O’Brien said.

“I share the prosecutor‘s concerns (about reoffending) and your family would want to see you address your poor relationship with illicit drugs.”

Magistrate O‘Brien considered Thompson’s lack of previous offending when opting to grant him bail with strict conditions which include; residing at his mother’s Helensburgh address where he must leave without her or an authorised representative, he must not drink alcohol or take drugs unless medically prescribed, he must undergo a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, he must not contact the victims or go within a kilometre of their address, he must present for a curfew check between one and three times per week and his grandfather put forward a $2000 surety if he was to fail to attend court.

Thompson is yet to enter a plea and will be back in Wollongong Local Court on April 28.