A Queensland man who admitted to goading his 14-year-old son to ride a baggage carousel into a restricted area at Canberra Airport in July has avoided a possible $15,000 fine.
The incident was filmed by two people and captured on airport security cameras at the time.
The 58-year-old and his son were stopped by police at the airport a few days later — before they could board a flight back to Queensland.
The man today pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the teenager to enter a restricted area.
His lawyer, Satomi Hamon, sought no conviction for her client, arguing the man "did not try to minimise the conduct, and acknowledged the danger".
But the prosecutor told the court there was a strong need for general deterrence due to security and safety concerns.
"Security at an airport is of a paramount concern," the prosecutor said.
"It's very lucky something didn't occur to the child.
"It is important there is a strong message sent to the public; a direction about an airport is to be followed and not treated as a joke."
Having read references tendered by the man's defence, Magistrate Jane Campbell said she considered the man was "someone of excellent character".
"It is a matter where it demonstrates a lapse in judgement rather than anything else," she said.
"I consider that in this case it was clearly intended to be done as a joke."
Magistrate Campbell said she'd exercise her discretion and dismiss the charge as it would be "inexpedient to inflict further punishment".
Source: BBC
Story by: Harry Frost
Original story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-03/qld-man-goad-teen-ride-canberra-airport-baggage-carousel-court/102929102
