Queensland teen who tussled a croc dodges jail time for attempted car theft
A QUEENSLAND teen who decided to wrestle a crocodile to win a date with a girl has lost his newest battle — this time with the law.
HE FAMOUSLY dodged the jaws of a hungry crocodile, now a Queensland teenager has dodged a jail sentence for attempting to steal a car.
Lee De Paauw is set to be released from custody after he assaulted two police officers in a robbery gone wrong.
He pleaded guilty to eight charges when he appeared via video link from Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old’s solicitor said he was in the middle of a “meth binge” at the time. His drugs dalliance was fuelled by the money he received from TV interviews after he jumped in croc-infested waters to win a date with a backpacker.
Chris Blishen, representing De Paauw, said his client was hallucinating at the time of the incident.
The tearful teenager told the court that he “didn’t realise the effect the drugs would have,” reported the Cairns Post.
“She didn’t even know I had been attacked at first. She thought I was pulling her leg until I hopped out of the water with my arm hanging down,” he told Today’s Karl Stefanovic and Lisa Wilkinson.
In other interviews, some given while he was still wearing a blood stained shirt, he said the “10 cups of goon” may have contributed to his bravado.
“I started telling about how backpackers are more likely to get eaten by a crocodile than Australians. So, we decided to go down to the river and test the theory.”
And then, entirely predictably, the croc struck and dragged him about six metres.
“I was thinking ‘f***, I’m gone, I’m gone for sure’,” he said from his hospital bed.
Acting on instinct, De Paauw punched the croc in the snout, but just before it could perform the death roll, he gouged the beast in the eye.
This split-second decision probably saved his life, because the croc let go.
Two bones in his left arm were broken in the attack, and he sported gouge marks at the top and bottom of the limb.
“He received bundles of money, and spent the money of drugs, primarily methamphetamines, or women,” Mr Blishen told the court. He said De Paauw received $7000 in total for one interview.
It was when that money ran out that, in a hallucinogenic state, De Paauw attempted to steal a vehicle and then assaulted the off-duty police officer who came to stop him. The offences happened in early June.
“Being in jail, he’s seen how long term use of meth can affect him, and he wants to offer a public apology to the officer for his actions.”
Magistrate Cathy McLennan said the drug use was no excuse and sentenced the teen to three months in prison, suspended for one year, and two years’ probation.
“Police do difficult work in difficult circumstances, and are entitled to be respected by people like yourself.
“You decided to take the drugs, you bear the full consequences of that, I do not lower the penalty for one bit for the fact you were on ice.
“There are only two places ice use will take you in the future — if you continue to use ice you will either be back in prison or you will be in the morgue, that’s the reality.”
As for his date, it seems De Paauw’s croc tussle didn’t get him very far with Ms Paterson.
“I would have to be quite twisted to be impressed by that,” Sophie told Channel 7’s Sunrise in March.
“Risking your life, there is nothing funny about that.”
She did say she was going to try to visit him in hospital. If she could find the time.