NSW: Town still hurting over boy's death, says mayor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
NSW: Town still hurting over boy's death, says mayor

By Amy Coopes

SYDNEY, Dec 7 AAP - The NSW Riverina town of Griffith is still hurting after two youths
were jailed for a minimum of less than four years for killing another teenager in an unprovoked
attack, its mayor says.

The two 16-year-olds, who can only be known as CK and TS, were today sentenced to a
maximum of six years by NSW Supreme Court judge Megan Latham for bashing to death the
17-year-old, known as AF, at 3am on January 1 this year.

But with time already served, TS will walk free in 2010 and CK in 2011, after both
pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

AF was set upon at a main street taxi rank by two local youths, then both 15, as he
went to meet friends shortly before 3am on January 1 this year.

"Look at that cockhead," taunted CK.

"What's your staring problem?"

CK, who had been drinking and smoking cannabis at a party near the lake, grabbed AF
and headbutted him forcefully. TS then punched him in the head.

AF took a few short steps before collapsing to the roadway and could not be revived.

Justice Latham today described the attack as "entirely senseless unprovoked and callous."

"CK was in my view spoiling for a fight and TS joined in," Justice Latham said.

"The offenders' physical size and strength belies their age.

"That they could deliberately inflict harm upon another young man who like them, had
family waiting at home to see him, a future to look forward to, a life full of promise,
for absolutely no reason at all beggars belief."

Divisions were clear in the courtroom today, with members of AF's family on one side,
and a large group of supporters and family of the offenders on the other.

AF's family were too distressed to speak to waiting media.

Griffith mayor Dino Zappacosta said the crime had divided the community, and many people
were still struggling to accept the loss.

"There's still people hurting at the moment," Mr Zappacosta said.

"The friends of (AF) are still in shock and going through a lot of emotional upheaval.

"We have spent the last 12 months building community confidence in how we can go forward."

Mr Zappacosta said the sentences would receive a mixed response.

"I'm conscious that there will be people who will not accept these sentences," he said.

"However, taking into account the age of the boys concerned I think we should be tolerant
and respect what's happened. I think we should allow the judicial system to play its part."

AF's family and friends recently laid a memorial plaque at the spot where he died in
a private ceremony, and representatives from Griffith's 72 cultural groups had come together
to form an action plan.

The plan, to be launched by the NSW police minister next Friday, aimed to improve conditions
for youths in the town and address law and order concerns, Mr Zappacosta said.

"It is one way that the community were able to come to terms with the death of (AF)," he said.

"Hopefully they will now accept the judicial system's result.

"The only way forward is to unite and show respect, and show condolences to everybody involved."

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KEYWORD: GRIFFITH NIGHTLEAD

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