Attackers referred on for further direction

Several young girls who caused widespread anger over assaults against other girls could have their charges dismissed provided they comply with directions from Juvenile Justice and the police. The three girls, aged 16, 13 and 12, appeared in the Broome Children’s Court where they each pleaded guilty to their parts in a series of assaults. The court was told the 16-year-old attacked another girl, aged 16, after the pair got into an argument after a netball match on September 22. It was found the girl had no prior criminal history and the case was adjourned for court conferencing on January 15. The other two, in court on the same day, pleaded guilty to their part in a five-on-one assault against another girl as she walked home from school on August 11. The court was told they had no prior criminal history and were also put off for court conferencing on January 15. A week later, two more girls alleged to have been part of the five-on-one assault appeared. One was put off for court conferencing after pleading guilty and the other was referred to the Juvenile Justice Team after accepting responsibility. A third girl pleaded guilty to an unrelated assault from July 31 and was put off for court conferencing on January 8. Another girl was adjourned to the South Hedland Magistrate’s Court after it was found she had since moved there from Broome. Referral to court conferencing or the Juvenile Justice Team allows the Department of Justice and the police to divert early and minor young offenders from the formal judicial system and further offending behaviour.