DESPITE a 10-cone-a-day marijuana habit and a childhood of physical and emotional abuse, Brady Pocknall, 19, is trying to turn his life around.
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The teenager appeared in Orange Local Court on Thursday charged with assaulting his grandmother, after she asked Pocknall and his brother to leave her home because of their marijuana habit and ongoing verbal abuse.
Pocknall’s solicitor Rebecca McIlveen said her client had grown up in a dysfunctional household involving the intervention of police and the Department of Community Services.
She said her client was disadvantaged by a lack of education after being expelled from school in Year 8 and had a heavy dependency on cannabis.
“He has had a deeply entrenched cannabis habit since the age of 12,” Ms McIlveen said.
She said, to her client’s credit, he had been trying to gain as many qualifications through TAFE as possible.
“He has gained a number of certificates including his RSA and he wants to go on to be an electrician,” she said.
Ms McIlveen said her client had no contact with his mother and her partner and had been living with his grandmother for the past few years.
The court also heard that because of his limited education, Pocknall lacked the maturity of most 19-year-olds to deal with certain situations.
In evidence presented to the court, Pocknall allegedly pushed his grandmother in the chest, pulled her glasses off and swore at her, as well as smashing a candle holder in her house.
Mr Lucas acknowledged Pocknall was sorry for his actions towards his grandmother, who he has spoken to since the incident.
Ms McIlveen said although her client had limited contact with his biological father, he had recently provided support and Pocknall was now living with his father.
After placing Pocknall on Section 9 good behaviour bond, to be closely supervised by Probation and Parole, Mr Lucas wished Pocknall well for the future.
“Good luck,” he said.
A two-year apprehended violence order was also imposed by the court for Pocknall not to threaten, harass or intimidate his grandmother.