A Devonport teenager who attacked his neighbour with a hatchet during a dispute over cap guns has walked free from prison, while the victim now lives with long-term injuries.
Tayden Paul Cooney, 19, was sentenced in the Supreme Court this month after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, destroying property and unlawfully possessing a dangerous item in public.
Acting Justice David Porter handed Cooney a 15-month jail sentence, but suspended the remainder, noting the teen had already spent 205 days in custody since the September 2024 incident.
“Clearly, this is a serious incident of violence. It was not a completely spontaneous action. A weapon was obtained and used with serious injuries resulting,” Justice Porter said.
“In my view, a term of imprisonment is plainly necessary but … I will backdate the relevant term and suspend the balance of that term from today on conditions.”
The court heard Cooney had been firing cap guns with a friend when a neighbour asked them to stop.
After a verbal exchange, Cooney returned to his unit, grabbed a 30cm hatchet, smashed the man’s window and slashed his forearm during the confrontation.
The neighbour suffered a fractured ulna and severed nerve and artery, requiring surgery. In a victim impact statement, the man said he now only has “one arm and hand that works”.
“He is in pain every day. He has been told that his hand will never work the same. Although still living in the property where the events happened, he does not feel safe and is scared,” Justice Porter said.
“He is frightened to go anywhere and does not like leaving Devonport. He suffers a lot emotionally and does not understand why it happened.”
While acknowledging the seriousness of the offence, the judge noted Cooney’s complex mental health issues, including autism spectrum disorder, borderline personality disorder and a history of drug use.
A psychological report revealed a traumatic upbringing, including exposure to methylamphetamine in the womb and a series of unsuccessful foster placements.
It also found that Cooney’s “mental health conditions causally contributed to him lacking behavioural control when angered”.
He will now serve an 18-month community correction order, which includes supervision, participation in an anger management program and drug treatment.
Cooney was also ordered to pay $655 in compensation for the property damage.
