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The Supreme Court of NSW in Sydney, where two local teenagers were sentenced on Friday for the unprovoked fatal bashing of another local.:
They are likely to serve less than four years in jail.Photo:
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Teens sentenced over New Year’s attack
GRIFFITH’S mayor has called for residents to remain calm and level-
headed following news the two local boys responsible for bashing another teenager to death are likely to spend less than four years in a juvenile justice centre.
Sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday morning, the two 16-year-olds – who can be referred to only by their initials CK and TS – both received a maximum sentence of six years, but taking into account time already served and non-parole periods, will be eligible for release in January 2011 and July 2010 respectively.
Former solicitor and Murrumbidgee MP Adrian Piccoli yesterday expressed his disappointment with the court’s outcome, vowing to call for the sentence – which he says is out of step with community expectations – to be appealed.
“People are going to be appalled with this. I was shocked too,” Mr Piccoli said.
“Tomorrow I am going to be writing to the Attorney General John Hatzistergos asking for the DPP to review the case and appeal the terms of the sentence, particularly the non-parole periods.”
He is also calling for a review of the sentencing standards for juvenile manslaughter matters, saying current sentences are too lenient.
“The family of (name deleted) has a life sentence and this is a very short sentence,” he said
“The justice system needs to provide a deterrent for these sorts of offences.”
The state’s top cop also publicly questioned the decision on Friday.
“It does appear to be lenient, there is no way that I can deny that I was surprised when I heard what had been handed down,” NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione said.
But mayor Dino Zappacosta has urged the local community not to echo that discontent.
“I’m conscious that there will be people who will not accept these sentences,” Cr Zappacosta said.
“However taking into account the age of the boys concerned, I think we should be tolerant and respect what’s happened. I think we should allow the judicial system to play its part.
“The only way forward is to unite and show respect and show condolences to everybody involved.”
Sentencing the 16-year-old boys – who can be referred to only by their initials, CK and TS – Justice Megan Latham described the attack as “entirely senseless, unprovoked and callous” and said the offenders’ physical size and strength belied their age.
The court previously heard the victim had been walking past the teenagers near the Banna Avenue taxi rank at around 3am on New Year’s day when CK, who had been drinking and smoking marijuana, approached him and said “what’s your staring problem?” before headbutting him.
TS then punched him, after which he took a few steps and collapsed, unable to be revived.
“CK was in my view spoiling for a fight and TS joined in,” Justice Latham said.
“That they could deliberately inflict harm upon another young man who like them, had family waiting at home for him, a future to look forward to, a life full of promise, for absolutely no reason at all beggars belief,” Justice Latham said.
“(TS and CK) will, at some stage, be returning to their families. They will hopefully have lives to lead, milestones to reach. The victim’s parents, his family and friends are forever deprived of the enjoyment and pride that (name deleted)’s life would have undoubtedly provided.
CK received the slightly longer non-parole period due to his
instigating role in the incident and was assessed by a psychologist as being “susceptible to future substance abuse problems, peer influence and … anti-social behaviours.”
TS, who has no criminal history was assessed as having better rehabilitation prospects.
The deceased cannot be named for legal reasons.
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