Public pepper spray trial triggers stinging backlash
The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job".
The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions.
The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said.
"We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement.
Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police.
Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community.
Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray.
"This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said.
Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government.
"They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday.
The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said.
She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk.
"It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said.
"Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it."
Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal.
Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes.
The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job".
The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions.
The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said.
"We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement.
Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police.
Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community.
Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray.
"This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said.
Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government.
"They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday.
The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said.
She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk.
"It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said.
"Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it."
Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal.
Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes.
The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job".
The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions.
The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said.
"We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement.
Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police.
Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community.
Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray.
"This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said.
Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government.
"They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday.
The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said.
She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk.
"It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said.
"Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it."
Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal.
Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes.
The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job".
The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety".
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions.
The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said.
"We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement.
Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police.
Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community.
Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray.
"This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said.
Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government.
"They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday.
The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said.
She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial.
The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk.
"It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said.
"Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it."
Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal.
Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
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The Advertiser
12 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Outback Wrangler star 'tampered with helicopter dash'
Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said. Reality TV star Matt Wright tampered with the dashboard of a helicopter after a fatal crash and falsely reported its fuel tank level, a jury has heard. The Outback Wrangler star's trial began on Wednesday, more than three years after Wright's mate and co-star Chris "Willow" Wilson died in the outback chopper crash that left pilot Sebastian Robinson a paraplegic. Wright has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice following the February 2022 incident in the Northern Territory. The trial got underway in the Supreme Court in Darwin with crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC outlining his case to the jury. None of the charges related to the cause of the crash and it was not alleged Wright was responsible for it, the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's injuries, Mr Gullaci said. The Crown case was Wright did not properly record helicopter flying hours and was concerned that crash investigations would uncover that, leading to charges against him and his companies. The jurors were told part of the evidence would be covertly recorded conversations of Wright and others at his home and on his phone, using listening devices. Mr Wilson died doing something "incredibly brave", dangling from a helicopter to collect crocodile eggs along the King River in Arnhem Land, Mr Gullaci said. He and Mr Robinson were working for Wright to lawfully collect the eggs for sale to crocodile farms. On the day of the crash, Wright was aware there would be investigations by aviation safety authorities and NT Police, leading to possible charges, Mr Gullaci said. Wright was the chief pilot, CEO and head of flight operations at his company Helibrook, Mr Gullaci said. As holder of an air operating certificate he was required to abide by all Australian civil aviation regulations to ensure safe operations. The Robinson R44 helicopter had a maximum flying-hour threshold of 2200 hours, at which time an operator had to decide to retire the aircraft or give it an overhaul costing more than $400,000. The case was about Wright engaging in practices to not properly record flying hours, including evidence that Hobbs flight-time recording meters were deliberately disconnected, Mr Gullaci said. "If you don't properly record service hours, you put off the maintenance and service requirements. It's a way of extending the life of the aircraft." That meant the 2200-hour limit could be passed by hundreds of hours and that affected airworthiness, Mr Gullaci said. The prosecution case was Wright was aware his pilots routinely disconnected Hobbs meters and did not accurately record their flying hours in log books - to make sure the meters and log books matched. The jury was told they would hear covertly recorded conversations between Wright and his wife Kaia in which he said: "I don't write shit down ... I will be guilty of not keeping my paperwork up to speed." They would also hear from pilots that Wright regularly asked them not to record flying hours in their log books. Investigations concluded the crashed helicopter was likely over its 2200 hours and its Hobbs meter was not working, Mr Gullaci said. "The rules are it shouldn't have been flying." Wright immediately choppered to the crash site on the day and "played around with the dash", the Crown alleging he was trying to see if the Hobbs meter was disconnected," Mr Gullaci said. "From the outset he attempts to cover up previous rule-breaking." Wright said in a statutory declaration to police he had seen about half a tank of fuel in the crashed chopper. But covert recording of Mr Wright showed he did not believe that, saying on the phone, "I didn't see any f***ing fuel in the tank - zero", Mr Gullaci told the jury. Wright made the statutory declaration with intent to obstruct investigations and avoid suggestions the aircraft operated without adequate fuel or there was a fuel line problem, the prosecutor said.
7NEWS
14 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Young woman involved in shotgun murder on NSW Central Coast of Jesse Thompson could be released on parole in 2026
A teenage girl whose 'childish' motivation for revenge led to a man's violent shotgun murder during a high-speed car chase could be released on parole next year. Jesse Thompson, 19, was in the back seat of an SUV when he was shot and killed on the streets of Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast on July 3, 2017. A ute — driven by John Paul Evans, 57, with his son Keith Evans, 31, in the front passenger seat — was pursuing the SUV at the time. Both father and son were found guilty of Mr Thompson's murder in July after a Supreme Court jury retrial. A 25-year-old woman - who was also in the ute but cannot be legally identified because she was 17 at the time of the death - was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murder. The killing was sparked after one of Thompson's friends slept with Keith Evans' girlfriend. Keith Evans lured the other man to his house at night where he was attacked by multiple assailants. In retaliation, two men arrived at the Evans home, making threats and smashing the glass front door. John Evans, the father, was called and the three offenders piled into the Trident ute. During the high-speed chase, the ute and the SUV were seen swerving and driving on the wrong side of the road before the weapon was fired. Thompson was described as a kind, warm, empathetic and friendly man who showed promise, Justice Richard Weinstein said on Wednesday. 'Jesse Thompson was at the start of his life and was senselessly murdered before his potential could be realised - that is the tragedy of this terrible event,' he said. 'We are less of a community because of the loss.' He sentenced the woman to a maximum period of 14 years and 10 months, backdated to the date of her arrest on July 4, 2017. Her non-parole period of nine years and three months will expire on October 3, 2026. Justice Weinstein considered the woman's prior criminal history of violent offending when handing down this sentence. However, he also said the woman had a deprived upbringing. Her mother had been incarcerated, and the woman had been exposed to domestic violence and 'warped views' about using violence and revenge to resolve problems. 'I have no doubt that her immaturity was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offence,' he said. 'In my opinion, the offender's behaviour was a childish reaction.' The now-adult woman had made significant strides towards rehabilitation and was unlikely to reoffend, the judge noted. As well as getting mental health treatment for her bipolar disorder and anxiety, she had commenced a bachelor of psychology while in juvenile prison. Since being transferred to an adult prison, she still showed promise by connecting with her Aboriginal culture and creating art. 'Much will depend on the resilience of the offender,' Justice Weinstein said. John and Keith Evans will face a sentence hearing on September 2.
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
From jealousy to jail over love-triangle shotgun murder
A teenage girl whose "childish" motivation for revenge led to a man's violent shotgun murder during a high-speed car chase could be released on parole next year. Jesse Thompson, 19, was in the back seat of an SUV when he was shot and killed on the streets of Wyong, on the NSW Central Coast on July 3, 2017. A ute - driven by John Paul Evans, 57, with his son Keith Evans, 31, in the front passenger seat - was pursuing the SUV at the time. Both father and son were found guilty of Mr Thompson's murder in July after a Supreme Court jury retrial. A 25-year-old woman - who was also in the ute but cannot be legally identified because she was 17 at the time of the death - was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to murder. The killing was sparked after one of Mr Thompson's friends slept with Keith Evans' girlfriend. Keith Evans lured the other man to his house at night where he was attacked by multiple assailants. In retaliation, two men arrived at the Evans home, making threats and smashing the glass front door. John Evans, the father, was called and the three offenders piled into the Trident ute. During the high-speed chase, the ute and the SUV were seen swerving and driving on the wrong side of the road before the weapon was fired. Mr Thompson was described as a kind, warm, empathetic and friendly man who showed promise, Justice Richard Weinstein said on Wednesday. "Jesse Thompson was at the start of his life and was senselessly murdered before his potential could be realised - that is the tragedy of this terrible event," he said. "We are less of a community because of the loss." He sentenced the woman to a maximum period of 14 years and 10 months, backdated to the date of her arrest on July 4, 2017. Her non-parole period of nine years and three months will expire on October 3, 2026. Justice Weinstein considered the woman's prior criminal history of violent offending when handing down this sentence. However, he also said the woman had a deprived upbringing. Her mother had been incarcerated, and the woman had been exposed to domestic violence and "warped views" about using violence and revenge to resolve problems. "I have no doubt that her immaturity was a significant contributing factor in the commission of the offence," he said. "In my opinion, the offender's behaviour was a childish reaction." The now-adult woman had made significant strides towards rehabilitation and was unlikely to reoffend, the judge noted. As well as getting mental health treatment for her bipolar disorder and anxiety, she had commenced a bachelor of psychology while in juvenile prison. Since being transferred to an adult prison, she still showed promise by connecting with her Aboriginal culture and creating art. "Much will depend on the resilience of the offender," Justice Weinstein said. John and Keith Evans will face a sentence hearing on September 2. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
