Magistrate warns teenage thug he could end up killing someone
A teen who bashed his mate unconscious on a beach in Melbourne’s southeast while fresh out of youth detention has been told he will end up a killer unless he gets help.
South East
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A magistrate has warned a teenage thug who bashed his friend senseless on a Frankston beach that “he’s going to kill someone” or spend the rest of his life in jail if he doesn’t change his violent ways.
Then 18-year-old Gavin Carter was drunk when he attacked his mate simply because he hugged his girlfriend, stomping on the victim’s face as he lay unconscious on the ground.
The victim suffered serious head trauma and spent 18 days in hospital recovering from the unprovoked alcohol-fuelled assault which happened in full view of frightened beachgoers.
When Carter appeared by video link at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday it was revealed he was not suitable for youth detention because he didn’t want to engage, so will have to serve his time in an adult prison.
Now 19, the Frankston North man’s case was adjourned so he can be assessed for a community corrections order, which if found suitable, will be imposed upon his eventual release from jail.
He was drunk when he started arguing with the victim, who was supposedly his friend, at Frankston Beach on March 9, before he punched him and knocked him out.
The man fell to the ground and while motionless Carter stomped on his head six or seven times.
He was arrested nearby and admitted the assault, saying the victim “hugged my missus, so I smacked him”.
He was bailed but then broke curfew and breached conditions by being seen twice drinking in Frankston CBD.
He was arrested again on March 29 and remanded in custody.
In court his defence lawyer said Carter needed support for his intellectual disability and alcohol abuse, which was blamed on a traumatic childhood and a “disconnect” from his family and indigenous culture.
He said Carter, who had so far served 93 days on remand, realised he would have to spend more time in jail and was keen to have the chance for a corrections order upon release.
Magistrate Vicky Prapas said if he didn’t get support and treatment after he had served his prison term he was doomed to fail over and over again.
“My concern is that this is just the start of him being continually jailed,” Ms Prapas said.
“(Without support) he’s going to continue offending, or worse than that, he’s going to kill someone.
“It is a bleak outlook, but there are opportunities to help him manage his drinking, his anger, and stay out of strife.”
Carter was remanded in custody for a corrections assessment and will return to court on July 20 for sentencing.
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