A public defender representing a man who poured paint thinners on a 14-year-old boy before setting him alight has described the incident as “mucking around”.
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Brody Paul Stewart Mulqueeney, 21, has pleaded guilty to intentionally causing grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.
According to documents tendered to the court a group of friends were sitting around a homemade fire bucket at Mulqueeney’s Lockhart home on August 28, 2016, when he poured paint thinners over the victim.
Mulqueeney then chased the victim around the backyard before lighting a cigarette lighter near his back while holding him in a headlock.
As a result of the incident, the victim has endured six procedures after suffering burns to 35 per cent of his body.
The court heard there were 24 “graphic” photographs of the victim’s injuries.
Mulqueeney, who was on parole and on a good behaviour bond at the time of the offence, was later charged for contacting witnesses.
The Crown solicitor told the court the injuries and emotional harm caused by the offence was “substantial”.
“He immediately said don’t call the ambulance because that would involve police and he would get in trouble again,” he said.
“He then took the steps of making an alternative story.”
Public Defender Michael King, who represented Mulqueeney, told the court his client was friends with the victim for several years and there was “no animosity”.
“To the question of intent – both of the boys had smiles on their faces before the victim tripped,” he said.
“Nothing in the facts suggest he was doing anything other than mucking around.
“It wasn’t a planned or ferocious attack, it was spontaneous.”
Mr King said his client had shown his remorse by immediately apologising for his actions and hosing down the victim.
Judge Gordon Lerve said he didn’t need any updated medical information to know there would be permanent scarring.
“He was only in his teens, he has a lifetime to go through,” Judge Lerve said.
Mr King told the court Mulqueeney was an “immature” 19-year-old with a drug problem at the time of the offence.
Judge Lerve said he needed more time to consider the case, which will return to court on March 9, where a sentencing date will be set.
