James Lachlan Smith, 19, pleads guilty to robbery with violence after stabbing on Gold Coast bus

A judge has warned a teenager to “swear off drugs” after a terrifying attack on an innocent passenger on a Gold Coast bus.

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A TEENAGER who stabbed a man on a Gold Coast bus after he stole his bag was released from custody after spending 10 months behind bars.

James Lachlan Smith pleaded guilty in the Southport District Court on Wednesday to robbery with violence.

Judge Ken Barlow sentenced him to three years prison with immediate release on parole.

Smith, 19, has been in custody since January.

The court was told Smith was on a bus in Varsity Lakes this year when he stole the bag of a man sitting near him.

A bus travelling along Seaworld Drive at Main Beach. File image. Picture: Jerad Williams

When the man tried to take his bag back, Smith pulled out a knife.

One of three blows left a cut on the man’s hand which needed surgery.

“The armed robbery was committed when you were so much under the influence of drugs that you could not recall what happened when you were questioned about it,” Mr Barlow said.

“That is not an excuse – you voluntarily took the drugs.

“You have found that drugs use causes you to commit crimes of increasing seriousness and violence.

“You need to clearly get your life on track to swear off those drugs.”

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