Difference in punishments extremely hard to fathom

LET me preface this letter by advising that my comments below on the judicial outcomes of two court cases are based purely on what I read in the Bulletin.

In the Gold Coast Bulletin Wednesday, January 10, there was an article about a 17-yearold bloke who relocated (I am too polite to say stole) a paddle pop sculpture at Broadbeach.

Some would argue he was doing a community service by getting it out of public sight. But, it was stealing nevertheless and as a result of a good old-fashion serve from his dad, he turned himself into police and the result was a court appearance complete with a $500 bond and a conviction recorded.

In the Gold Coast Bulletin Tuesday, January 9, there was an article about a 17-year-old who stole two cars and a set of number plates and drove around the Coast until apprehended.

This self-proclaimed aspiring “theoretical physicist” walks from the court with a 160-hour community service order and no conviction recorded.

She left his fingerprints on the vehicle, however, was apparently able to convince the magistrate she was definitely going to be the next Einstein given her sentence outcomes.

This is exactly the sort of thing that makes normal Joe Blow blokes like myself see red about our supposed justice system.

One 17 year old commits the crime of the century and knocks off a bit of supposed sculpture, puts no one but himself in danger, dobs himself into the authorities and among other things has a conviction recorded, which is a big hurdle in the real world.

The other 17 year old steals cars and plates and potentially puts people at risk with her behaviour and walks away without a conviction and will no doubt do exactly nothing of value in relation to her 160 hours of community service.

I shake my head in despair.

EDDIE BEVANS, SOUTHPORT