Criminal or Civil case?

Case 1

A 17 year old schoolboy was charged with assault and recklessly causing injury. The victim was a 13 year old schoolgirl from the same school. She alleged that she was subjected daily to physical bullying and verbal taunts for over 6 months. The victim stated that the harassment, which was witnessed by fellow students, caused her to become fearful of walking around the school. The Magistrates Court found the boy guilty of the charge of recklessly causing injury. He was convicted and fined $200. The assault charge was withdrawn.

Case 2

A 19 year old shoplifter pleaded guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to 372 offences involving goods worth more than $11,700. The prosecutor, Senior Constable Beard, said that the offender committed the offences over 9 months. He said that she went into stores and placed items into a bag without paying for them. She would then go to the appropriate counter and ask to return the goods, giving false reasons. She would either get a cash refund, or goods in exchange. The Magistrate remanded her in custody for sentencing.

Case 3

The case between Brightland Shop (defendant) and Jim Jones (plaintiff) was heard in the Magistrates Court. While shopping, Jones slipped and fell on some oil spilt in Brightland Shop. He broke his leg and was off work for six weeks. He sued Brightland Shop for negligence. He maintained that the oil should have been cleaned up as soon as it was spilt. If this had been done he would not have slipped. He claimed compensation for his pain and suffering and for his loss of earnings.

Case 4

The plaintiff (Akram Karam) worked in the shoe factory of Palmone Shoes Pty Ltd (the defendant). The plaintiff sued the defendant for negligence. Karam claimed that during his time of employment he was exposed to various chemical solvents used in the manufacture of shoes and that the defendant had not taken enough care in the workplace. Karam developed asthma and ceased work in 2006 and has not worked since. The plaintiff was awareded $244,296 for past economic loss, loss of the chance of work since 2006 and general damages for pain and suffering.

Case 5

The police arrested Peker, 18, who was charged with recklessly causing injury to two men on 29 November The charges followed an incident when Peker and his friend, in a drunken state, took umbrage at one of the men who was walking by. Peker chased him and started punching him. The second man tried to intervene and was set upon. The magistrate took into consideration Peker’s youth and he was sentenced to 18 months in a Youth Justice Centre.