Two teens guilty in court after out-of-control house party
AN OUT-of-control house party at Berserker in January ended with empty vodka bottles and a court appearance this week for two of the six youths charged.
Police were forced to shut down the Rodboro St party at 11pm on January 15 after a group of 150 drunken teenagers were involved in fights and refused to leave the scene.
Six people were arrested for various offences from public nuisance to wilful damage.
Another seven were given tickets ranging from $112 to $341 for liquor offences.
Stacey Teresa Conaglen pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing police after she tried to snatch her half-full bottle of vodka from officers as they tipped the contents on the ground.
Police prosecutor Danita Clarke told the court the 17-year-old rushed forward to snatch the bottle from police.
She said Conaglen was restrained and continued to struggle to break free from police.
Defence lawyer Shayne Studdert said Conaglen was invited to the party.
"It was the first time she was given and tasted alcohol," he said.
"She understands she shouldn't have been consuming alcohol in the first place."
Magistrate Michael O'Driscoll fined Conaglen $150 and did not record a conviction.
In a separate case, 20-year-old Gavin John Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of contravening the direction of police after he became upset when police arrested his cousin.
The court heard police told Richardson to leave the area but he demanded to know why his cousin was being arrested.
"You were in no way helping (your cousin), you were intoxicated and should have moved away," Mr O'Driscoll told Richardson.
Richardson was fined $400.