Teenager, 14, involved in Toowoomba CBD stabbing sentenced in Childrens Court of Qld

A trio of Oakey teenagers involved in the stabbing of an 18-year-old homeless man in Toowoomba’s CBD in February have now been sentenced in Toowoomba District and Childrens Court of Queensland. See how the court threw them all a lifeline here.

A failed robbery involving three Oakey teenagers almost resulted in the fatal stabbing of an 18-year-old homeless man in Toowoomba’s CBD on February 16.

The last of the trio of offenders, a 14-year-old boy, was sentenced in the Childrens Court of Queensland at Toowoomba on Thursday.

The 14-year-old was charged alongside co-accused Mullenjarly Pitt and Byron Fraser, and the teenager pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted armed robbery in company and unlawful wounding.

The 18-year-old victim attempted to fight back against instigator Pitt, throwing a deodorant can which struck Pitt in the head.

Pitt and the victim then scuffled before he stabbed the man in the chest with a knife.

Pitt received a two-year suspended sentence on October 26, while co-accused Byron Fraser was sentenced to three-years probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

Crown prosecutor Emily Coley told the court police had located CCTV footage as well as images on the 14-year-old and Fraser’s phones of the trio posing with the knife used in the stabbing.

Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed in the chest in the middle of the Toowoomba CBD.

The court was told due to the victim’s living situation, an impact statement was unable to be gathered.

Ms Coley outlined that although the 14-year-old was an accomplice only to the stabbing, he still held a significant role in what was considered very serious offending.

The 14-year-old has been on bail for the past nine months, and with the help of his family, has taken considerable steps in participating in the Youth Justice bail program.

Defence barrister Douglas Wilson told the court his client’s engagement in the bail program has been “exceptional”, and his very early plea of guilty showed his acceptance of responsibility.

A final Youth Justice report prepared for the court outlined the 14-year-old no longer displays any signs of pro-criminal or anti-social behaviour and upholds a healthy respect for the judicial system.

Mr Wilson told the court his young client was held in police custody for around 10 hours after his arrest.

Judge Benedict Power KC commended the 14-year-old’s family for their role in helping him to take the relevant steps towards rehabilitation.

Despite prosecution unable to locate the 18-year-old victim, Judge Power said the boy’s participation in a restorative justice program would still be invaluable.

“It’s really important to think how vulnerable someone who‘s sleeping rough is,” Judge Power said.

Judge Power said the 14-year-old’s prior knowledge that Pitt was carrying a weapon ultimately showed he was aware of the probable consequence.

The 14-year-old was sentenced to six-months probation and ordered to participate in a restorative justice program.

No conviction was recorded.