Tabitha Maree Smith, 22, was granted bail by the ACT Magistrates Court. Photo: Albert McKnight.
A 14-year-old had to be flown to a Sydney hospital and placed into an induced coma after he was allegedly severely assaulted by a brother and sister.
Dylan Smith, 20, and his 22-year-old sister Tabitha Maree Smith were charged over what a magistrate said was a “severe and unprovoked” alleged assault in Belconnen on 23 June.
The boy was taken to the Canberra Hospital on 24 June suffering from multiple injuries consistent with an assault, an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
His status became critical two days later and he was airlifted to specialist children’s care in Sydney and is now in a critical but stable condition.
The ACT Magistrates Court heard he had been placed into an induced coma. Also, when discussing the connections between those involved in the matter, the court heard Tabitha knew his father.
On the weekend, police arrested Dylan and Tabitha and charged both of them with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm by joint commission as well as assault by joint commission.
The siblings faced the Magistrates Court on Monday (30 June) to apply for bail, which was opposed by the prosecution.
Dylan’s lawyer, from Legal Aid, said he reported he lived in Shellharbour, NSW where he provided his father with around-the-clock care.
Tabitha Maree Smith did not enter pleas to her charges and will return to court in late July. Photo: Albert McKnight.
But prosecutor Tamzin Lee said according to court documents, he had been staying in Belconnen since 22 June and was arrested in the suburb on the weekend, so she urged the court to look at his claims about looking after his father 24/7 with scepticism.
Magistrate James Lawton said the alleged circumstances of the matter were somewhat inexplicable, that the alleged attack appeared to be “unprovoked and sustained”, and he did not think the proposed bail conditions would reduce the risks of releasing Dylan on bail.
Meanwhile, Tabitha’s lawyer, Sam Collett from Legal Aid, said on the allegations, it appeared the more significant blows in the assault were delivered by Dylan.
Ms Lee agreed it was alleged Tabitha had limited physical participation in the incident.
But she also claimed Tabitha had done nothing to stop the alleged sustained attack on the boy, nor given him assistance afterwards.
In response, Mr Collett said there could be a number of reasons why someone may not want to get involved in a fight.
Dylan was refused bail by Magistrate Lawton, but Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker granted it for Tabitha, who is from Belconnen, on strict conditions.
Their cases were adjourned to 28 July. No pleas were entered.
The route is already decided - it just hasn't been publicly admitted. It'll go down Commonwealth… View