Latest news with #MilduraMagistrates'Court
Herald Sun
03-06-2025
- Herald Sun
Mildura thugs knock man unconscious in brutal late-night street attack
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mildura. Followed categories will be added to My News. Two Mildura thugs left a man unconscious on a footpath after a late-night alcohol-fuelled argument turned violent, a court has heard. James Muhturis, 24, and Noah Ziguras, 18, fronted Mildura Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to charges of recklessly causing injury. The drama began when Ziguras, a reserve footy player for Red Cliffs, got into a heated argument with the victim outside a licensed venue about 10.45pm on February 21. The pair hurled insults back and forth, until Ziguras called his mate Muhturis for back up. Muhturis arrived in his BMW and, after a brief exchange, the pair chased the victim down the street. As Muhturis started talking to the victim again, Ziguras punched the man in the face. Muhturis then punched him while he was still on the ground and again as he stood up. When the victim tried to get up again, Ziguras landed a final blow that knocked him out cold. The duo then fled the scene leaving the man unconscious on the footpath. Police found the man and he was taken to hospital. Muhturis and Ziguras were arrested four days later. Both men made full admissions, with Ziguras telling police he assaulted the man because he had threatened him, while Muhturis claimed he thought the victim was about to punch Ziguras. Ziguras's lawyer Bert Hilton Wood said his client was extremely remorseful, indicating his client was drunk and the victim had made threats to stab him. Muhturis's lawyer Rebecca Boreham said her client wasn't the instigator in the assault and pointed to his co-operation with police and willingness to take full responsibility for his actions. Magistrate Rose Falla slammed the pair for showing a 'complete disregard for human life'. 'What I find sickening is the lack of care,' Ms Falla told them. 'I accept you are both enormously remorseful and it was completely out of character. If you behave like this on alcohol, maybe you shouldn't drink. 'You're lucky you are here talking to me and not another person in a higher jurisdiction court,' she said. Both men were put on two year good behaviour bonds with conviction, ordered to engage in counselling and write a letter of apology to the victim.
Herald Sun
19-05-2025
- Herald Sun
Samantha Lethaby of Mildura crashes after alleged police pursuit
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mildura. Followed categories will be added to My News. A Mildura woman allegedly accelerated directly at police officers during a frantic early morning chase, before crashing headlong into a tree insisted it was her intended target all along, a court has heard. Samantha Lethaby fronted Mildura Magistrates' Court seeking bail while facing multiple charges including aggravated exposure to an emergency worker by driving. The court heard at 3.50am on May 15, Ms Lethaby and another person were allegedly driving a Suzuki Swift without lights on. When police activated their lights, Ms Lethaby allegedly sped away rather than pulling over, turning into a court. Knowing the street was a dead end, police waited for her to return. It was alleged Lethaby then drove directly toward police at high speed, mounting the kerb in a desperate bid to escape, before losing control and smashing into a tree. After being arrested, Ms Lethaby was transported to hospital. Police searched the vehicle and allegedly uncovered stolen bank cards. Further inspection of Ms Lethaby's handbag at hospital allegedly revealed quantities of methamphetamine and ecstasy tablets. Ms Lethaby allegedly told police she hadn't aimed at them but was deliberately steering toward the tree she ultimately hit. The court heard she had moved to Mildura only two weeks earlier and already had multiple pending matters at Latrobe Magistrates' Court. Police opposed bail, however, defence lawyer Sasha Leon Molina argued suitable conditions including regular reporting, orders to abstain from drugs and driving, along with participation in the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) would mitigate any risk. Magistrate Patrick Southey indicated a surety of $2000, which Ms Lethaby said her mother could provide, would strengthen her bail application. Mr Southey called Ms Lethaby's excuses for her alleged offending 'troubling, even if you believe (her excuses), which I don't.' 'It is not a weak case whatsoever,' he said. Ms Lethaby was denied bail and would reappear before the court on June 5.
