Teen posts pix of assault victim
A teenager has posted pictures of the man he assaulted, given to him by police as part of their evidence against him, on Facebook to ‘‘ridicule’’ the man.
Armani Love, then aged 17, was given photos of the man, showing the extent of his facial injuries, by police when he was charged with assault in June last year, as part of the court disclosure process.
Love was granted diversion last October, after completing a series of tasks for police to make amends, so that he could avoid a conviction for his first assault charge.
But the day after Love was granted diversion, he started a private Facebook group, a police summary of facts said.
He invited 13 of his friends to the group, as well as his assault victim, before posting three photographs of the victim, showing the injuries Love caused to his face, the summary said.
Love then ‘‘ridiculed’’ the victim, and posted two more photographs of the man, one with the word ‘‘snitch’’ written across his forehead, and another with a crosshair target drawn on his face.
The victim suffered ‘‘significant psychological trauma’’ as a result of the Facebook posts, the summary said.
Love was charged with posting a digital communication with intent to cause serious emotional harm, which he denied, and was to appear for a case review hearing at the Blenheim District Court on Monday. But police amended the charge to the less serious charge of misusing a telephone device, to which Love plead guilty.
His lawyer Kent Arnott said Love was still completing the community work as part of his diversion agreement, and was hoping to start an aquaculture course shortly, which left little time for extra community work hours.
Judge Denys Barry said Love’s behaviour had a serious effect on the victim, who was afraid Love would ‘‘continue to victimise him’’.
‘‘Do that, and you will get the full response of the criminal courts on you,’’ Judge Barry warned.
After credit for Love’s guilty plea, Judge Barry convicted him and sentenced him to an extra 100 hours’ community work.