Boy faces 7 years jail over bottle throwing
JAYNE RICKARD, The West AustralianFebruary 15, 2010, 2:05 am
A 15-year-old Thornlie boy faces up to seven years jail if found guilty of throwing beer bottles on to a busy highway yesterday morning.
He is believed to be the first person charged under WA's tough new legislation that makes it an offence to throw an object at or near a vehicle.
Police allege officers on patrol saw the boy throwing items from the Spencer Road overpass on Roe Highway in Thornlie about 1.55am. Broken glass was seen on the road below. No one was reported hurt in the incident.
Police apprehended the boy, who was allegedly found with a number of empty beer bottles.
He was taken to Cannington police station and charged with causing fear or alarm to people in vehicles. He will appear before Armadale Children's Court next Monday.
If convicted, the boy faces a maximum penalty of seven years jail and a $36,000 fine. The legislation, which has the toughest penalties for such offences in Australia, was introduced in November.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said at the time the legislation would provide the community with the strongest protection in Australia.
Under the new laws, prosecutors do not need to show that a person's life was put in danger or that the offender intended to hurt anyone.
Police are appealing for any vehicles that may have been in the area at the time to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.as posted here
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