Byron Bay hippy girl April Van Schoonhoven pleads guilty to vicious Melbourne assault
A Byron Bay hippy girl ditched peace, love and goodwill after she kicked an unconscious man during a Melbourne CBD attack.
Melbourne City
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A Byron Bay hippy who went daffy and kicked an unconscious man following a wild Melbourne brawl has avoided a conviction.
April Van Schoonhoven, 20, was sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday to a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to affray by using unlawful violence.
The court heard Van Schoonhoven and another person approached a car on Flinders St just before midnight on February 21, 2020.
Van Schoonhoven’s companion assaulted a victim who was sitting in the car.
A fight erupted after the car occupants hopped out and retaliated, the court was told.
Van Schoonhoven pushed and shoved a victim during the fight.
The warring parties calmed down but hostilities flared up again after a heated word exchange.
Van Schoonhoven’s companion punched a victim and knocked him out.
Van Schoonhoven kicked the victim while he was unconscious on the ground, the court was told.
Police tracked and identified Van Schoonhoven and her cronies via CCTV.
Van Schoonhoven later told police she “thinks” she approached the car and asked an occupant for a cigarette.
Van Schoonhoven also claimed she couldn’t remember the incident because she was “intoxicated” but identified herself on the CCTV stills.
Jason James, for Van Schoonhoven, said the offending was “completely out of character”.
“She’s never been in a fight before and she was pushed by a man,” Mr James said.
The court heard Van Schoonhoven moved to Byron Bay following the incident where she currently works at a resort earning $1000 per week.
Magistrate Samanatha Poulter accepted Van Schoonhoven made a “mistake”.
“It is a serious offence,” Magistrate Poulter said.
“It appears … you’re the first person to approach the car but it’s someone you’re with who is the first person turns it into something violent …
“Although your role is limited to two pushes the fact you’ve kicked someone while they’re unconscious is something really …
“I hope you’ve taken stock on your behaviour that night and made some changes to your behaviour …
“You’re a young person. the court appreciates young people make stupid decisions and this is what you have done on this occasion.”
Van Schoonhoven, who has no priors nor subsequent offending, was also ordered to pay $250 to the court fund.
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