A POLICE prosecutor suggested yesterday community protection was a primary consideration when dealing with a North Albury girl, 17, charged following three separate incidents this year involving assaults.
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Sgt Rowan Harris made a submission in Albury Children’s Court to magistrate Tony Murray that the girl should be dealt with according to law.
An application had been made by her solicitor, Kate Bleasel, for the charges to be considered under the Mental Health Criminal Proceedings Act.
Ms Bleasel said the girl needed assistance for mental health issues.
She was charged with two counts of assault and damaging property in an incident about 1.45am on January 1 in East Albury.
A man and woman walking home after a New Year’s Eve party were followed by the girl and an accomplice.
The girl punched the man without warning to the left side of the head and he stumbled backwards.
He attempted to open the front door to a unit with a key and was punched again.
The girl punched a lounge room window with her fist causing it to shatter and used a small fold-up chair to smash two other windows.
About 75 minutes later patrolling police officers saw the girl in the middle of the road at the intersection of Eastern Circuit and East Street holding a can of alcohol.
Police stopped, a woman officer wound down a window and told the girl to get off the road.
She reacted by throwing the alcohol can at the caged truck.
The girl was charged with assaulting an officer, offensive behaviour and intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle risking safety.
It was about 12.40am on March 15 when the girl walked up to a vehicle stopped at a red light in Dean Street and kicked it before fleeing.
A passenger her and was punched.
“Each of these matters are unprovoked assaults and incredibly bizarre behaviour,” magistrate Tony Murray said.
“This is a difficult matter for the court to determine.”
Mr Murray said when the three matters were viewed cumulatively they became more serious.
But he granted the mental health application, ordered the girl to comply with a treatment plan, put her on bail and adjourned the charges until October 6.