Launceston teen Liam Harper in court for violent street brawl

A troubled teen has avoided jail time after being involved in a violent street brawl that left one man with a fractured nose and two broken teeth.

Launceston teen Liam Harper appeared at the Launceston Magistrates Court for his involvement in a violent street brawl. Picture: Facebook

A troubled Launceston teen has avoided jail time after being involved in a violent street brawl that left one man with a fractured nose and two broken teeth.

Liam Harper, 19, of Ravenswood, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including common assault, behaving violently, disorderly conduct, and possessing cannabis and testosterone.

Harper appeared in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday to learn his fate.

Police prosecutor Jack Fawdry said that on December 30, 2023, at about 2am, Harper and another man were evicted from the Commercial Hotel on the corner of George and Cimitiere Street in Launceston.

The court heard that the pair approached a man and briefly engaged with the man before Harper struck him in the head.

The Launceston Magistrates Court, on the corner of Charles Street and Cimitiere Street in Launceston. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

The man fell backward, and a member of the public intervened in the situation.

Harper then punched this man multiple times in the head.

Mr Fawdry said the man sustained multiple injuries as a result of the street fight, including a fractured nose and two broken teeth.

In the following days, Harper became irate after participating in an electronic police interview at the Launceston police station and was escorted out of the station.

At the time, a police media conference was being conducted outside of the station in Civic Square.

The court heard that Harper began to yell and swear, and the media conference was stopped as a result.

Defence lawyer Hannah Goss said Harper was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a child and had recently experienced the breakdown of an intimate relationship and the loss of a close friend.

Ms Goss said he struggled to emotionally regulate himself following these personal difficulties and used drugs and alcohol during this period.

Magistrate Ken Stanton said he understood the mitigating factors but encouraged Harper to find healthier outlets.

“I need to deter you and others from similar offending, the most serious of which involved common assault where a man fell down. You can kill people doing that,” Mr Stanton said.

“Drugs aren’t going to help you. But regarding what your lawyer has said, reformation is the principle objective today.

“I don’t want to see you back here.”

Harper told the court he didn’t want to either, saying, “I just want to get my life back”.

Mr Stanton convicted Harper on all counts and sentenced him to a community corrections order for 12 months with 49 hours of community service.