Punch on tram leaves teenager facing 120 hours community service
A court has been shown shocking footage of a teenager punching a man in the face during a row on a Gold tram as stunned witnesses watch on. SEE THE VIDEO
Crime and Court
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A TEENAGER who punched another passenger on a Gold Coast tram has walked from court facing 120 hours community service.
Shocking footage played to the Southport Magistrates Court today shows Tamamarie Wikaire, 19, punching a 52-year-old man in the face during a scuffle on the northbound tram near the Broadwater Parklands stop on July 18 last year.
The CCTV footage shows two women getting into a scuffle and the victim kicking out at the women.
Wikaire then turns and punches the man in the face.
Police did not catch up with Wikaire until December 13 when officers spotted him getting off a tram at Nerang St, Southport.
Wikaire today pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.
When he left court today he gave reporters the finger and said “that’s my apology”.
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Defence lawyer Joe Wicking, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, said Wikaire saw the man kick out at the girls.
“He doesn’t say he did the right thing but that is how he became involved,” Mr Wicking said.
Mr Wicking said Wikaire did not have clear recollection of the day as he was on illicit substances at the time.
The court was told Wikaire had since move to Nanango, near Kingaroy, and undergone drug rehabilitation.
Magistrate Andrew Sinclair accepted Wikaire only became involved after the man kicked out.
“You are a young man and you have your whole life ahead of you,” he said.
Mr Sinclair encouraged Wikaire to continue to stay away from drugs.
No conviction was recorded.
Wikaire was the only person charged over the incident.
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