Keegan Lind: Coronavirus delays Allambie Heights gel shooter’s appeal
A foolish young aspiring model who peppered members of the public on the northern beaches with a gel gun assault rifle could remain a free man for a considerable time - despite being handed a jail sentence.
Manly
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An aspiring model who peppered members of the public with a real looking assault rifle could remain a free man for some time despite being sentenced to jail.
Keegan Andrew Lind, celebrated his 22nd birthday at his Allambie Heights home this week as his appeal against his 10 month jail term is prolonged by the impacts of coronavirus on the courts.
His lawyer appear on his behalf in Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday to appeal the severity of the 10 month jail term which he was handed in January for his reign of terror in Manly last March.
The court previously heard how Lind wielded the replica MK 15 5.56mm machinegun from the window of his mate’s ute shooting gel bullets at traffic and taking down a stranger with a shot to the torso.
Defence lawyer Stephen Bourne successfully argued for the adjournment as he was only engaged by Lind last week and had not had the chance to speak to his client.
Judge Christopher O’Brien adjourned the matter until May 7 as under the direction of a recent coronavirus memo issued by the Chief Judge, any sentence appeal not able to be finalised by today (Tuesday) would have to be put off.
“I understand your concern Madam crown but the sentence is not going away,” Judge O’Brien said.
Judge O’Brien himself wondered out loud given Lind was to appear in court virtually what the process would be if his appeal was to be dismissed.
“Let’s assume the appeal is unsuccessful and he’s not here because he can’t come into the courthouse,” Judge O’Brien said.
“That’s a problem.”
Mr Bourne attempted to offer a solution to the coronavirus induced quandary.
“It will probably be a problem across the country,” Mr Bourne said.
“Your Honour I know in America, which is of course not the system here, it is not uncommon for people to show up days or weeks later to serve their sentence.”
But Judge O’Brien told the court he was not convinced.
“That’s not the situation here. It’s goodbye – exit stage left.”
Lind previously apologised to the court for his “stupid” actions which he at the time believed were “a bit of harmless fun”.