Ty Betts jailed over death threats, recklessly causing injury

A troubled young man is now a serious offender, after being convicted of offences including making threats to kill, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault.

Ty Betts. Picture: Facebook

A troubled young offender has been jailed over incidents in Norlane and Geelong, including making threats to kill and recklessly causing injury.

Ty Betts, 22, fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court via videolink on Monday for sentence, having pleaded guilty to eight charges.

Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir convicted Betts on all charges and jailed him for four months, to be followed by a 10 month community corrections order (CCO).

According to court documents obtained by the Geelong Advertiser,

In relation to the Geelong offending, which occurred on November 10 last year, Betts pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury, attempted robbery and unlawful assault.

Betts also pleaded guilty to two counts of making threats to kill and single counts of carrying a controlled weapon without excuse, resisting an emergency worker on duty and entering a private place without lawful excuse, in relation to offending on April 15 this year.

Summaries of Betts’ offending were not read in open court on Monday.

His lawyer said prison was not the only way to ensure public safety, and that her client’s rehabilitation would also go towards achieving that end.

Ms Swadesir told Betts the second charge of making threats to kill meant she had to sentence him as a serious offender.

The court heard he had a prior criminal history and had served “some days” in custody, and also breached an adjourned undertaking.

In sentencing him, Ms Swadesir said she took into account all of the circumstances put before her, including those made by Betts’ counsel and that he had been assessed as suitable for a CCO.

She acknowledged that he was a youthful offender living with mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder.

However, she told the court the threats Betts made were clear and he was armed at the time.

If not for his guilty pleas, Ms Swadesir would have jailed Betts for eight months.

Betts had 33 days reckoned as time served.

Originally published as Ty Betts jailed over death threats, recklessly causing injury