Teen attacks classmate for money

A TEEN who threatened to throw a former classmate off a 10-metre drop unless he gave him money has been ordered to perform community service.

Raymond Gregory Gilbert, 19, spotted his 19-year-old victim at Redbank Plaza on September 10 last year, grabbed him hard by the back of his neck and marched him outside.

Once on an outside walkway, which was 10 metres above the ground, Gilbert, who was with another man, demanded the teen give him money to buy “smokes” or he would throw him off.

His victim refused and managed to run away after 15 minutes and hide in the back of a store.

But a short time later Gilbert, who was then with a juvenile girl and boy, found him and forced him to walk to the car park while again holding him painfully around the back of his neck.

Crown Prosecutor Sheryll Gabutero said Gilbert again demanded money while his victim pleaded that he did not have any.

Gilbert then took his victim's mobile phone and smashed it on the ground. The teen managed to escape again and ran back into the centre to call his mother on a pay phone. The entire incident had lasted about half an hour.

Ms Gabutero said both young men had previously attended Redbank Plains State High School's special education section together and the victim recognised Gilbert as someone who used to torment him.

Gilbert pleaded guilty to common assault, attempted robbery, assault with attempt to steal and wilful damage.

Convictions were recorded and he was ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid community service and placed on two-and-a-half years' probation.

Defence barrister Steve Kissick said his client, who recently became a father, had mild intellectual impairment and ADHD.

Judge Sarah Bradley told Gilbert his actions amounted to “bullying” in an aggressive and intimidating manner and it was “cowardly”.

“You can't treat people like that,” she said.