Todd Leslie Charles Hodges and a teen associate robbed a 16-year-old boy of his shoes in busy shopping centre

In what was a sad indictment of today’s society, a teenage boy was robbed of his shoes in the middle of the city’s biggest shopping centre and no one came to his aid.

In what was a sad indictment of today’s society, a teenage boy was robbed of his shoes in the middle of the city’s biggest shopping centre and no one came to his aid.

Even more disturbing was that a “group of youths” standing nearby had filmed the incident on their phones, the Toowoomba District Court heard.

Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie told the court Todd Leslie Charles Hodges, 20, and a 15-year-old boy had intimidated and threatened the 16-year-old victim before robbing him of his shoes in the middle of a busy Grand Central Shopping Centre on April 7.

The incident was captured by the centre’s CCTV cameras and Hodges was found the next day travelling in a stolen car which led to a short police chase, she said.

When his car was stopped, the 20-year-old fled on foot but was soon caught by police.

Ms Petrie said the robbery had occurred just two weeks after Hodges was released from jail and he was subject to probation and suspended jail terms at the time.

The solidly built Hodges had spent the ensuing 192 days in custody and pleaded guilty to robbery in company and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Todd Leslie Charles Hodges appeared in Toowoomba District Court on October 17, 2022.

Ms Petrie told the court Hodges had a concerning criminal history which included previous acts of violence.

“He presents a significant risk of reoffending in the community,” she submitted.

Defence barrister Scott Lynch told the court his client had “impaired functioning” but had recently been approved for an NDIS package which included one-on-one care 24-hours a day.

Medical reports tended to the court suggested his client required support in the community, he said.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC calculated that at just 20, Hodges had spent three years and nine months in detention or adult custody.

“It was a senseless robbery in full view of the public in a shopping centre,” Judge Horneman-Wren told Hodges.

”You’ve got significant challenges as set out in the medical reports.”

Judge Horneman-Wren said the sentencing options were parole, probation or sending the 20-year-old back to jail.

“I don’t want to go the sledgehammer option,” he said.

Declaring the 192 days of pre-sentence custody as time served, Judge Horneman-Wren sentenced Hodges to 15 months in jail but ordered the whole term be suspended immediately to hang over his head for two years and placed him on two years probation.