A MOUNT Gambier boy will learn his fate next month when he is sentenced for causing serious injuries to a man during a fight on Commercial Street East last year in which Bordertown man Rex Court was killed.
The 16-year-old boy appeared in the Adelaide Youth Court this morning for sentencing submission after pleading guilty to a charge of recklessly causing serious harm earlier this month.
After hearing submissions from both the prosecution and defence counsel, Judge Penelope Eldridge adjourned sentencing until September 18.
Bordertown man, Anthony Wilson – the victim of the assault – was left with serious injuries inflicted by the boy during the fight on May 13 last year.
He was flown to Flinders Medical Centre for treatment.
The youth was originally charged with murder, however the prosecution dropped the charge late last year, leaving the boy to face the charge of recklessly causing serious harm.
The matter has now been adjourned to the Adelaide Youth Court next Friday for sentencing submissions.
Jordan and Dominic von Stanke, aged in their early 20s, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday where they pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The pleas were entered after the prosecution downgraded charges of murder.
The offending relates to an incident which occurred when three men were walking along Commercial Street East.
They became involved in a verbal argument with a large group of up to “eight to nine men and six to seven women” on the opposite side of the road.
The three men crossed the road and approached the group, where they were then punched and kicked several times by the group of males.
During the assault, witnesses reported seeing a black Ford Territory pull up and the Von Stankes were seen to exit and join in the assault before driving off again.
The prosecution has claimed in court that it took the Von Stankes just 39 seconds to spear tackle Mr Court, throw him to the ground with a cracking sound and inflict ultimately fatal kicks and stomps.
The initial group involved in the assault left the area before patrols and paramedics arrived.
Mr Court and Mr Wilson were both airlifted to Flinders Medical Centre with serious injuries.
Mr Court – a father of three – was later pronounced dead, while Mr Wilson received serious injuries, however survived.
A 22-year-old man was also taken to Mount Gambier Hospital after also suffering injuries trying to break up the fight.
