Thaindian News

Melbourne, May 3 (ANI): A teen member of a “Punji hunting” gang, which bashed and robbed six Indians in Melbourne, walked free from court after a judge said he had made “extraordinary efforts” at rehabilitation.

Ricky Petrusic, 19, was one of seven young men who had attacked the six Indian men in Melbourne’s western suburbs in late 2009.

He pleaded guilty in the County Court to two charges of robbery, three counts of attempted armed robbery and one count of armed robbery.

In passing sentence, Judge Liz Gaynor said Petrusic’s involvement was the result of him dropping out of school and associating himself with a negative peer group.

She said since then, he had taken major steps towards rehabilitation, including psychological counseling. She praised him for continuing even when he became severely distressed by it.

“You have demonstrated an extraordinary ability to change the behavior that led to your offending,” The Age quoted Gaynor, as saying.

The evidence for Petrusic came from three experienced witnesses - a psychiatrist, a juvenile correction officer and a Salvation Army youth worker.

Gaynor said it would be in the community’s interest for Petrusic to serve his sentence in the community, which would allow him to continue his rehabilitation.

She sentenced him to three years’ jail, but wholly suspended the term for three years.

She also ordered Petrusic to perform 150 hours of unpaid community work. (ANI)