The Court: Melbourne Children’s Court
The Lawyer: Lucy Massouras
The Charges:
The Allegations:
The client was a 15-year-old high school student who was charged with stalking a fellow student. Over a few months, the client regularly appeared at locations where the complainant was present, including the local shopping centre and a local cafe. The client had never contacted the complainant online; instead, he monitored her public social media posts, particularly her Instagram stories and location tags. He used this information to track her location, often showing up at her location shortly after her posts.
The complainant informed her parents, as she started to grow concerned for her safety, and her parents subsequently reported the matter to the police.
The client participated in a recorded interview with police in the presence of his mother. The client admitted to monitoring the complainant’s social media to see where she was so he could attend, but denied intending to frighten her. He was subsequently charged with Stalking.
At Court:
The client’s mother advised our solicitor that the client was undergoing mental health counselling, so we asked for a letter to be obtained from the counsellor.
Our solicitor obtained instructions from the client and appeared with him in court. The client’s parents also attended to support the client. A guilty plea was entered to the offence, and the child’s personal circumstances and family history were explained to the Magistrate. Our solicitor made submissions that the most appropriate course of action was for the child to be placed on a good behaviour bond.
The Outcome:
The Magistrate was satisfied with the submissions regarding sentence and imposed that the client be placed on an adjourned undertaking for six months to be of good behaviour.
This case highlights the importance of finding lawyers who specialise in crime and, particularly, of engaging lawyers who regularly attend the Children’s Court.
