Despair drove ‘child soldier’

A FORMER African “child soldier” allegedly donned homemade armour and tried to use an incendiary device because he felt police and the legal system had abandoned him.

Amara Jamal Lansana appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court via videolink from Lotus Glen Correctional Facility charged with possessing dangerous drugs, possessing a knife in a public place, wilful damage and assaulting police.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Stuart Berry told the court Mr Lansana had fashioned his own body armour before throwing rocks at officers.

He also faces an attempted arson charge relating to an alleged incident with a homemade device.

Mr Lansana told the court he intended to represent himself in the District Court and plead guilty to the charges.

He described himself as a “child soldier” and said he was driven to commit the crimes out of desperation.

“Since the war in Africa I have not slept,” Mr Lansana said. “My life was a living hell.” “I was driven to action – they (police and Legal Aid) laughed at me and drove me out.

“I am leaving my case to God and the judge.

“When you are finished with me just send me back to my country.”

Mr Lansana, who has been in custody for 161 days, did not explain what drove him to seek legal aid or police help in the first place.

Mr Lansana said he was unable to find legal help, alleging he was laughed out of lawyers’ offices.

“I have been trying to get a lawyer to help me even before I did this crime,” Mr Lansana said.

“They laughed at me and asked me to leave; they said they would call the police.”

Magistrate Robert Spencer adjourned the matter to video court on April 4.