this is in the state of victoria in australia.
Quote
A TEENAGER who robbed then bashed a 75-year-old great-grandmother in her bed so she would not recognise him has avoided jail.
Judge David Parsons today sentenced Ashley Wayne Brooks, 19, to a two-year youth justice centre order and said his young age and slight stature were factors in the sentencing.
Brooks had pleaded guilty in the County Court to five charges including aggravated burglary and intentionally causing serious injury after breaking into Barbara Durea's housing commission flat in Traralgon on March 17.
Brooks, who was drunk and had broken into Mrs Durea's flat to steal money for more alcohol, left the elderly woman unconscious in a pool of blood.
She eventually managed to telephone her daughter for help and was flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She was placed in an induced coma for 12 days. The attack left her with a dislocated jaw, broken nose, cut above her brow, bruising to her face and body and unable to open her right eye.
The court heard Brooks had sought to render his victim unconscious so she would no't recognise him.
"Your victim has suffered greatly as a result of your actions, both physically and emotionally," the judge said.
Judge Parsons said Brooks, whose girlfriend is expecting their first child, was a disadvantaged young Aboriginal man who was illiterate and effectively homeless.
Although he described Brooks' violent attack on Barbara Durea as "sickening", the judge said the defendant's chances of rehabilitation were reasonably good.
"In your short life you have had few, in any, chances to separate yourself from a violent and troubled life," Judge Parsons said.
"Your situation is sadly typical of that which comes before the court."
"I think you're worth a chance," he said. "You haven't really had much of a chance to date."
Judge Parsons sentenced Brooks to a two-year youth justice centre order, where he would have access to education and gain the necessary skills to change his life.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23232956-661,00.htmlHmmm, the charges of intentionally causing serious injury and aggravated burglary carry 20 and 25 years in the can respectively - but no, Judge Brooks thinks this case is worthy of NO time in the can at all. I guess he's waiting for a really serious case to come before him.....
We don't need harsher sentences in this country - we just need judges that will enact the ones we have.
Bernie
