Teen hit, robbed woman

A REJECTED Far Northern teen assaulted a woman and stole her handbag when she refused his cigarette and offer of sex.

The 47-year-old woman had been crying in a secluded area at Kuranda when the 16year-old boy approached and asked for a smoke in January. She said she didn’t have any, so he offered her a cigarette and then asked her for sex.

Joshua Francis, for Crown Prosecutions, said the woman tried to run away, but the teen blocked her exit and forced her to the ground.

He punched her in the head a few times before snatching her bag and fleeing.

The teen pleaded guilty in the Children’s Court of Queensland to robbery with personal violence. The woman’s property was returned excluding $90 in cash.

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has more than 20 entries on his criminal history.

“He’s had a prejudicial childhood,” defence barrister Michael Dalton said, adding that there had since been positive steps within the family unit to provide him with support. The teen had reportedly smoked up to seven cannabis cones on the day.

The court was told that he wanted to re-engage with school and had aspirations to become a diesel fitter.

“Apparently you did this because you wanted marijuana,” Judge Dean Morzone said.

“No one will want a diesel fitter that’s on drugs.”

The court was told that the teen had already spent 165 days in a juvenile detention centre awaiting sentence.

He was given an immediate release and placed on 12 months probation. A conviction was not recorded.