A LONG GULLY teenager who survived a car crash that claimed the lives of his two friends has been placed on community corrections order (CCO) over a number of assaults and robberies in Rosalind Park.
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Jia Meeks, 19, was a passenger in a double fatality crash in Lucan Street, Bendigo, on May 30 last year.
He faced the Bendigo Magistrates Court this week, pleading guilty to four charges of unlawful assault and two charges of robbery.
The offences occurred on April 16, 2012 – before the crash – but the court heard Meeks had since missed one court date due to his injuries and mental scars from the “nightmare he kept reliving in his head”.
Meeks’ defence lawyer Katerina Kappos said her client had changed his behaviour dramatically after losing his two best friends in the crash.
She said he was intoxicated at the time of the assaults and robberies, but had since shown remorse for his actions.
The court heard Meeks approached a group of young people in Rosalind Park on April 16, last year, and demanded money before threatening to “kick their heads in”.
One victim handed over $10 before a number of punches were thrown and police were called.
Meeks fled police but was arrested after a short foot pursuit on Niemann Street, North Bendigo.
Magistrate Kay Robertson said the offences were not only harmful to the victims, but for others who were hoping to enjoy a quiet day in the park.
“These actions frighten other people in the community,” she said.
“It’s very serious offending.”
Magistrate Robertson said she was hopeful Meeks would “honour his friends” and become a valuable member of the community.
Meeks was placed on a CCO for 15 months, with conviction, and fined $1500.
