Thomas Newell sentenced after pictured with gun
A teenager who allegedly posed with gun for photos and posted them on Instagram at a party has been sentenced to 100 hours of community work and a 12-month community corrections order.
Rouse Hill
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rouse Hill. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Police attacked with knife while helping pedestrian
- Eastwood man charged with large scale drug supply
A teenager has been handed 100 hours of community service and a 12-month community correction order after being convicted of three charges, including possessing an unauthorised firearm.
Thomas Newell left Parramatta Local Court this morning smiling but alone.
On August 3, the 19-year-old was allegedly at a party in Rouse Hill when an unloaded gun belonging to the host’s father was brought out.
The court heard Newell was drunk, and was one of five people who handled the gun.
His legal representative told Magistrate Richard Funston it was the, “zenith of folly,” that Newell got someone to take a photo of him in a, “stupid pose,” which was later uploaded on to social media.
“He (Newell) pointed the gun ... in a reality sense it was harmless but you just don’t do that,” he told Mr Funston.
“Someone took an Instagram photograph and posted it.”
Mr Funston was told the social media post was not anything more sinister but noted a range of other previous offences Newell had committed.
These included an aggravated break and enter dwelling in company steal, and entering an inclosed land not presc premises without lawful excuse where he allegedly sought shelter with a group of young women one night on his way home.
“He was picked up earlier in March and whilst on bail he was charged with another offence, and now he’s charged with, another, offence,” Mr Funston said.
Newell’s legal representative told the court how the teenager had been a top performing student at a parochial school with a passion for music until circumstances, in which his parents’ asked him to leave home, meant he had to couch-surf and live, “on the streets on his wits.”
Mr Funston combined Newell’s three offences in the sentence he handed down, and recognised how Newell had been trying to get his life together, but added, “you have to do better.”
“Don’t drink or take drugs in a way that it means you can’t make decisions,” he said.
“I am taking into account your age, the fact you pleaded guilty to these matters.”
He said the accused will hopefully benefit from serving the 100 hours of community work and the community corrections order where he will be under the supervision of the Hornsby Community Corrections District Office.
“They want to work with you … they got plans in terms of drug and alcohol work and also grief issues concerning the loss of a friend … use this opportunity to get some help, otherwise next time they’ll punish you,” he said.
IN OTHER NEWS
