Drug-dealing teen who knocked out another youth avoids custody

Thursday 14 September 2023

A teenager who admitted supplying LSD and cannabis, and knocked another youth unconscious, has been given a probation order – in what the Relief Magistrate accepted "could seem a very lenient approach".

The Youth Court heard that the young man, who cannot be named, was caught dealing drugs. Months later, he knocked an exchange student to the ground, leaving him unconscious and in hospital.

Relief Magistrate Sarah Fitz said she could have sentenced him to youth detention and told him that could be outcome if he commits another offence.

Legal adviser Samantha Morris, prosecuting, said he had been found with both drugs on 24 November. Police had found them hidden beneath a sofa in an abandoned property, bearing the teenager’s fingerprints.

His mobile phone was found to contain messages about supplying both drugs.

Then on 24 July this year, the teenager was with a group of youths shouting abuse at a group of exchange students. He threw a bottle of water at them and then hit one  student in the face.

"He slapped him with some force, making him fall to the ground with a short loss of consciousness," she said.

The victim was detained in hospital overnight for observation but did not suffer any serious injuries.

The teenager admitted assault and supplying drugs. Advocate Chris Baglin, defending, acknowledged the offences "crossed the threshold for detention" but said of the teenager: "He’s clearly an intelligent young man. He wants to work. He can organise himself. He needs structure and a framework."

The teenager also addressed the court, saying: "I apologise for my actions."

The Relief Magistrate said: "There’s no doubt that these offences could be punished by a period of youth detention."

Imposing the 12-month probation order, she told the teenager: "This could seem a very lenient approach, but if you commit another offence you will be back in court and the next step could be community service or custody.

"Take the chance. Make this the turning point."