I blame the parents...

balthazarr · 24-12-2009, 09:10 AM

From: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/s...006301,00.html
(my emphasis)

Quote:

Teen thug sent to adult prison
SEAN FEWSTER, COURT REPORTER
December 23, 2009 06:30pm

FOR eight hours in December 2007, three boys terrorised the suburbs - stealing cars, pointing guns at people and robbing petrol stations - to earn some pocket money.

Aged just 14, 15 and 16, the brazen and aggressive trio showed utter disregard for the public, also destroying the door of a home and vowing to kill the family inside.

Yesterday they sat in stunned silence as the District Court ruled their "rampage" was serious enough to treat them as adults.

The eldest lost all composure when Judge Peter Brebner jailed him for nine years - and further ordered he serve half that time in an adult prison.

"You committed a simply staggering number of crimes to fund your drug-taking and have money in your pocket," he said. "The course of conduct to which you all contributed was simply outrageous and intolerable. Your crimes are very grave . . . you went on a wanton, violent and terrifying rampage."

The sentence reduced the youth's family to hysterical tears, and they hurled abuse at the bench. Judge Brebner ordered the other two youths - now aged 17 and 16 - serve minimum terms of 3½ years and three years and nine months, respectively. The trio pleaded guilty to 22 offences including aggravated robbery, threatening life and theft.

The 16-year-old was armed with a replica pistol while the 17-year-old used a tyre lever.

"The nature and number of crimes you committed displays your complete disregard for the safety of others and for the law," Judge Brebner said. "The only way I can ensure you receive the care and guidance you require in the future is to sentence each of you as adults."

They were assisted in some of their crimes by Scott Dwayne Graham, 26. Judge Brebner said Graham was intoxicated, but "should have known better". He was jailed for seven years and two months, with a non-parole period of four years and nine months.

Unbelievable. Rather than feel shame and remorse at their child's abhorrent behaviour, the family hurled abuse at the bench? IMHO, they should have been jailed for contempt.