Teen dealt supervision order after spitting and verbally abusing security guard in Rockingham

A teenager from Perth’s southern suburbs who spat at a security guard trying to prevent her from stealing a pair of false eyelashes has escaped jail because of her young age. The teenager, who cannot be named because she is underage, pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery in Rockingham Children’s Court last Wednesday. Police prosecutor Sgt Brian Sutherland told the court the teen and a co-accused entered the Chemist Warehouse store in Rockingham on May 25, where an employee saw them try to leave without paying for a pair of false eyelashes. He said the accused became volatile and spat at the security guard who confronted them, calling him a “paedophile” and telling him “you can’t put you’re f****** hands on little girls”. Police later arrested the girl at her home. Legal aid lawyer Deborah Donovan said the teen believed she was “acting in order to protect her friend”. “This is an extremely vulnerable young person, which is outlined in the reports provided to the court,” she said. “The security officer was essentially doing his job and she has been entirely reactive in this instance.” Magistrate Catherine Crawford said two reports highlighted the teen’s “difficult” upbringing. “These are very serious and as an adult expect that you would be going straight to jail,” she said. “I infer that you reacted in the moment without consideration of the possible consequences for those around you or yourself.” Ms Crawford said she took into consideration the girl’s personal circumstances and youth, imposing a six-month intensive supervision order.