A SPRINGDALE Heights youth has been put on probation for 18 months over a Facebook dispute which turned violent when he punched another youth to the face in Mate Street at North Albury earlier this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The victim, 15, was treated by paramedics and taken to the Albury Base Hospital with concerns he may have suffered a fractured skull.
But a medical report tendered in Albury Children’s Court yesterday indicates the victim is expected to make a full recovery with no lasting impact.
His attacker, 14, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and police withdrew a charge of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm.
Prosecutor Sgt Rowan Harris said an updated medical report was sought before withdrawing the more serious charge.
Tendered police facts indicate how the two youths began communicating on Facebook in September over issues between them.
It led to a fight between them being organised and the conflict continued in following weeks with both sides making threats.
The victim was walking with a friend in Mate Street about 3.30pm on October 9 after leaving school.
He partly crossed the roadway and waited on the median strip for traffic to pass.
There was an argument with his attacker, who asked the victim to fight and the suggestion was rejected.
The victim was punched once which caused him to fall to the ground and he was taken to hospital soon after the arrival of an ambulance.
Police attended the scene and obtained details of what happened from several witnesses.
A report from Albury Wodonga Health said the victim may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury.
It indicated he had a headache, a cut on the lip, pain to the left side of his mouth and a fracture of the left shoulder.
His attacker attended the Albury police station on October 15 accompanied by his father.
When interviewed, the youth indicated he had not intended to cause injuries to the victim.
Solicitor Shaun Mortimer said the attack was not premeditated, but was instead opportunistic.
Mr Mortimer said the youth has no criminal record, no matters of violence and understands the seriousness of what he did.
Magistrate Tony Murray said the guilty plea by the youth indicates his remorse and contrition for what happened.
“This is just no way to resolve any issues,” Mr Murray said.
He said the victim lost consciousness for a short period of time and he was very lucky, but has made a full recovery in a short period of time.
Mr Murray imposed a probation order without conviction.