One punch sentence will not be appealed
POLICE will not appeal the sentence of a teenager responsible for a brutal coward punch in Surfers Paradise during Schoolies Week celebrations last year.
A spokesman told the Bulletin police did not believe an appeal would be successful.
Caleb Maraku, 19, pleaded guilty to the attack earlier this month and received 12 months probation for the punch, which was caught on camera by a passer-by.
Maraku laughed and filmed himself with media as he left Southport Magistrates Court on January 12 following his sentence.
Police yesterday confirmed the probation order would not be appealed.
“After a thorough review and careful consideration of all relevant matters, a decision has been made not to appeal the Magistrates decision as there were insufficient prospects of success,” a Queensland Police spokesman said.
The attack knocked NSW tourist and aspiring professional baseball player Taliesin O’Meara out cold, leaving him with split teeth and ongoing headaches.
At the time of the attack Maraku was on a 12-month ban from the Surfers Paradise Safe Night Precinct.
As well as the probation order Magistrate Joan White also ordered Maraku be banned from Surfers Paradise for another year.
Surfers Paradise MP JohnPaul Langbroek yesterday said a harsher sentence should have been handed down at the original court hearing.
“I think the public reaction to it means police just feel like they are beating their heads against a brick wall,” he said.
Mr Langbroek called for magistrates to be held account for their sentencing decisions.