$500 Fines for men in Goondiwindi noose attack
Protestors gathered outside the Goondiwindi Magistrates Court today, over the assault of two Aboriginal youths in the southern border town, last November. One of the victims claims he was brutally bashed and dragged along a riverbank by a noose around his neck. David Tomkin and his son Clint faced court today, accused of the crimes. Goolburri ATSIC Regional Council Chair Bert Button says he’s concerned the men were only charged with the relatively minor offence of assault. And the outcome of the hearing today – the Tomin’s pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm. Despite the fact that the young man assaulted only saved his life by holding onto the noose with his fingers – David and Clint Tomkins were fined $500 each for their actions, and ordered to pay $600 compensation to their victim. The maximum penalty Magistrate Dennis Beutel could have imposed for the charges is seven years imprisonment.