Bryce Harrington: Tooradin dad attacked rock-throwing bully to protect kids
A court says this doting dad went too far when he confronted teen tormentors who had been throwing rocks at his young children.
South East
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A father who assaulted a bully boy after the aggressive teen threw rocks at his young children has been slapped with a big fine.
Bryce Harrington knocked the victim off of his bike, shook him by the arms and threw his cycle into the trees after coming to the rescue of his stepson and daughter.
The 39-year-old Tooradin concreter pleaded guilty to assault and two damage-related charges at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The court heard on April 15, 2019, Harrington’s eight-year-old stepson came back to their then Pakenham home very distressed, saying three teenagers were throwing rocks at him.
He said Harrington’s daughter, then aged seven, was also being held by the teens and they wouldn’t let her go.
Harrington jumped on his pushbike and as he rode towards the three boys they also threw rocks at him.
The court heard he caught up with one of the bullies and rode straight into the boy’s bike, knocking the teen to the ground.
Harrington then grabbed the boy, shook him and berated him for throwing rocks, knocking his phone to the floor and his glasses off of his head.
He then picked up the boy’s bike and threw it into a tree before he rode back home.
The bully walked back to his parents who reported the assault to police.
When officers contacted Harrington he admitted the assault, saying he was concerned about the welfare of his daughter.
In a police interview Harrington told officers he was worried “what the bullies had been doing to my kids” and wanted to have a word with them about their dangerous behaviour.
His defence lawyer said this was an unusual case of assault as the father genuinely believed his children were under duress.
He said Harrington’s protective nature kicked in, and while he originally just wanted to speak to the children involved, he admitted he ended up taking things too far.
He said his client was remorseful and realised his actions were unacceptable.
Harrington also has a prior for violence, having been jailed in 2017 for an unprovoked glassing attack on a partygoer.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said while she accepted he may have thought he had a genuine cause for concern, the victim was still a child.
“It is not up to him (to uphold the law), he could have called police,” Ms O’Donnell said.
“It is troubling offending, concerning especially considering his prior.
“But these are somewhat unusual circumstances and I accept he is a good father.”
Harrington was convicted and fined $1500, and must pay $250 to the victim for damaging his bike, phone and glasses.
