The judge decides to release the violent offender as more time in jail will not help

A Dunedin teenager who struck a Corrections officer during his court appearance will be released after 10 weeks behind bars.

Ollie Abraham Carse Walker, 19, appeared in Dunedin District Court yesterday, where he was sentenced to 18 months of intensive supervision following the courtroom fight on June 30.

Judge Jim Large said that longer incarceration would not help the teen or the community, who would have to pick up the pieces once he was released.

Last year, Walker received an identical sentence for another violent outburst, but in less than a year, things collapsed dramatically.

While in a supported living facility, the defendant became angry with employees and other residents.

When it became clear that Walker would not be relocated, as he wished, he was enraged, destroying everything in his path.

He punched and kicked holes in all the walls of his unit, according to court documents, ripping closet doors and destroying a refrigerator, throwing it into a shared yard.

The teenager broke two sliding windows of the ranch and soaked the carpet with water, the court heard.

He was charged with intentional damage.

Walker’s actions were a breach of his sentence and he was evicted from the residence.

When asked to submit a urine sample for drug testing the next day, he refused – another infraction.

Walker had exhausted his lodging options and when he appeared in court on June 30, the judge immediately raised bail as an issue.

After being detained in court cells, the teenager became agitated and began to rip his clothes, verbally abusing those who were watching him.

When he was brought before a judge again that afternoon, his temper flared.

Walker was denied bail and when the Corrections officer stepped forward to take him back to the cells, he turned and hit him twice in the face.

Other personnel flocked to immobilize the accused while they treated the victim.

“As a result of the punching, the victim suffered a major concussion and was later admitted to Dunedin Hospital due to lack of balance and the inability to speak properly,” police said.

Judge Large listened to youth workers in court to support Walker, who spoke about the measures they would put in place to help him.

Initially, they would place you in emergency housing before a more stable home was found.

Support staff would spend time helping you live independently, and others would monitor you for volunteer or part-time work.

The judge said Walker had a sad background and a number of problems to deal with, “but now you are reaching the age where you have to learn to manage those conditions, because sadly they are not going to go away.”

There was no way the defendant could pay for the damage he caused, Judge Large ruled.