Two teenagers sentenced over role in vandalism at Katanning Welcome Precinct in April

The vandalism spree which marred the Katanning Welcome Precinct in April has been resolved in the courts, with all three offenders now sentenced over their role in the vandalism. Two teenage boys, one 15 the other 16, each pleaded guilty at Katanning Children’s Court on June 7 to one count of destroying or damaging property without permission and one count of stealing. Police prosecutor David Loverock told the court the teenagers and one other offender were at the New Lodge Motel between 12am and 1.45am on April 27, when they stole a box of road marking paint valued at $192 from the back of a vehicle owned by roadwork company Fulton Hogan. The stolen spray paint was then carried to the All Ages Playground, where it was applied to equipment at the park, road and council signage as well as the surface of the Katanning Skate Park. The cost to the Shire of Katanning of removing the paint was estimated to be $6000. Mr Loverock said both boys made admissions when questioned by police. The defence lawyer for the 15-year-old said he was not thinking while committing the acts and made a “dumb decision”. The court was told he has been living independently in Nyabing doing shearing work. The defence lawyer for the 16-year-old said the teen accepted responsibility and described the case as “three young boys acting silly”. In her sentencing remarks, Magistrate Dianne Scaddan said the perpetrators would be required to undertake community service. “It’s not smart, it’s not brave, it’s just an act of vandalism that people have had to remedy,” she said. “It is mostly little kids using the area and they don’t have to see that type of stuff when they’re skating and the like.” Both offenders were sentenced to a four-month youth community-based order. It comes after another 16-year-old boy was sentenced to a four-month youth community-based order in Katanning Magistrates Court last month for his role in the vandalism.

Two teenagers sentenced over role in vandalism at Katanning Welcome Precinct in April

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