Teenager attacked in argument over a vape

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl who screamed obscenities at and attacked a 17-year-old girl from whom she was trying to steal a vape has been placed on probation to get help with anger management.

In CCTV footage played to the Children’s Court of Queensland at Toowoomba on Friday, March 17, the 15-yearold girl is seen approaching the teenage girl on the exterior steps of Grand Central about 2.30pm, February 3, asking for her vape.

When the 17-year-old refused, the 15-year-old started yelling at her and the victim retreated back up the steps and into the shopping centre.

Inside the centre, the younger girl’s attack intensified, grabbing the victim by her hair and dragging her to the ground while shouting “Give me the f-king bag, c---”, in front of shocked shoppers.

As the victim held on tightly to her handbag, the 15-year-old continued her attack, yelling and striking at her before a friend of hers stepped forward and kicked the victim to the legs.

A schoolboy in uniform tried to pull the 15-year-old girl away before security officers stepped in telling the girl to stop, only for her to swear at the officers.

Eventually, the girl and her accomplice left empty-handed, Crown prosecutor Emily Coley told the court.

Ms Coley said the victim was taken to hospital but only found to have bruising, and she had not wanted to make a victim impact statement although, by the footage, the experience would have been frightening.

The girl had spent the ensuing 40 days in custody which was a long time for a 15-yearold in her first experience of detention, and she entered an early plea of guilty to the charge of attempted robbery in company, Ms Coley said.

The girl’s barrister Jessica Goldie told the court the 15year-old had anger management issues for which she was willing to get help.

The girl was ashamed of her behaviour that day, she said.

Though she was not attending school, her client was hoping to attend Flexi School, Ms Goldie said.

Judge Paul Smith said the incident was “terrible” and placed the girl on 15 months probation to include anger management and substance abuse programs and to do 50 hours community service.

In keeping with Youth Justice Act policy, no conviction was recorded.