AN EXPLOSION that badly burnt three Gunnedah teenagers has seen Raymond Harland Hubbard plead guilty to three charges of negligently causing grievous bodily harm.
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The accused faced Judge Jeffery McLennan in Tamworth District Court from the witness box on Monday.
“You stand charged by that name, that on November 6 2016 you did, by a negligent act, cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) … are you guilty or not guilty?” Judge McLennan asked the accused.
“Guilty,” Hubbard told the court.
Hubbard was charged by detectives after he allegedly poured an accelerant on a fire at a birthday party in a backyard in Little Barber Street on November 6, 2016.
The accelerant sparked a fire that burnt three teenagers, two of whom had to be airlifted Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital for specialist treatment.
Judge McLennan asked Hubbard’s barrister, public defender Stuart Bouveng, if he would consider dealing with Hubbard’s sentencing in early 2019.
“If we have the time we might as well make use of it but I’m not going to force anyone on,” Judge McLennan said.
“[One of the boys] has been a victim in another matter, a home invasion, that’s by-the-by but he has poor luck.”
The Crown requested the matter be heard later in the year.
“I’ve spoken to two of the victims on the indictment and they would prefer the sentence later this year,” he said.
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The offence carries with it a maximum of two years imprisonment, and conditions of Hubbard’s bail are that he not approach any of the boys injured in the explosion.
A 17-year-old boy was flown to Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital in a critical condition after he suffered burns to his face, arms and legs.
A 16-year-old boy was taken with him for treatment to his legs, arms and face – and a 15-year-old boy was admitted to Tamworth Hospital after he sustained burns to his legs and was later released.
Hubbard previously told Fairfax Media that the incident was “a freak accident that happened”, organising a fundraiser to help with treatment for the boys.
The pleas on Monday came after Hubbard waived his right to a committal hearing in Tamworth Local Court in April 2017, vowing to fight the case at trial.
He planned to plead not guilty to all three reckless GBH charges.
Hubbard will be sentenced next month in Tamworth District Court.
His bail was continued in court on Monday.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
