Convicted teenager threatens magistrate
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy armed with a crowbar screamed at a community worker to give him money, which he wanted for cannabis.
His 17-year-old co-offender, Herbert Arden Dooley, was armed with a bottle when the pair went to the 54-year-old woman's Woorabinda home and demanded she give them money in March 2011.
But the woman refused, grabbing a broom and smacking the boy over the head with the handle while yelling for help.
Police caught the pair and three days later Dooley appeared in front of Magistrate Annette Hennessy in Rockhampton.
Dooley became enraged when Ms Hennessy refused to grant him bail.
When she began giving her reasons he screamed: "I'll get you ... I'll find out where you live ... I'll kill you".
Dooley, who is now 18 and has never been employed, yesterday pleaded guilty to attempted robbery while armed in company and retaliation against judicial officers when he appeared in the District Court in Rockhampton.
The barrister representing Dooley, Jeff Clarke, said his client was having trouble with cannabis at the time.
Mr Clarke said Dooley had written letters of apology to the woman and Ms Hennessy.
Judge Brian Devereaux told Dooley his fairly serious criminal history and regular court appearances disrespected his mother, who was there yesterday to support him.
He explained it was an offence to threaten anyone's life, not just a judicial officer's.
Dooley said he knew that, but he was just a violent person.
"It's just my temper," he said. "I'm just a violent person to tell you the truth."
Dooley received a nine-month sentence, but will be released on Monday due to 361 days he has already spent in prison. He will return to the Magistrate's Court to face other charges on Monday.
The boy, who cannot be named, was sentenced in a Cairns' court and received immediate parole.
