ORANGE Local Court heard on Monday a 16-year-old girl had managed to break free from the scourge of the drug ice and was hoping to get her life back on track by studying at TAFE.
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The girl faced court charged with driving without a licence, assaulting police, damaging property and being armed to commit an indictable offence.
The girl, who was removed from her family situation four years ago, is in the care of the Department of Family and Community Services, and lives in supported accommodation in Orange under the care of a government-approved agency.
The girl’s Legal Aid solicitor Peter Ringbauer told the court his client knew she had to deal with issues that led to her aggressive behaviour.
“She is seeing a psychologist, and the report from Juvenile Justice does not paint an extremely positive picture,” Mr Ringbauer told magistrate Terry Lucas.
Mr Ringbauer said the girl had stopped attending a local high school.
“Until three months ago she was using ice but she tells me she has now stopped,” Mr Ringbauer said.
He said the girl had struggled with depression and anxiety for several years and would continue to be monitored as she remained in the care of the state until the age of 18.
Mr Lucas told the girl she had to make an effort to stay away from drugs.
“The only person who can do that is you,” he said.
“Drugs won’t do you any good - all they will do is muck you up.”
Mr Lucas placed the girl on a good behaviour bond for 12 months to be supervised by the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice.
She was also fined $10 for each of the offences.
