A Kimberley teenager has been sentenced to a six-month intensive supervision order for sexually abusing two young children.
The 17-year-old boy abused the four-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl in a West Australian town last year.
He was originally charged with two counts of sexual penetration but pleaded guilty to two counts of indecently dealing with a child under the age of 13.
The Perth Children's Court heard that on the day of the assaults, the youth had been drinking alcohol and smoking a synthetic drug called "mind rape".
The court was told the drug was up to "seven times stronger than cannabis".
Court told offences 'out of character'
The teenager's defence lawyer told the court her client was in a state of extreme intoxication and had no memory of the incident.
But she said he had since recognised his victims were vulnerable, and the seriousness of the matter had been "accepted from the outset".
She told the court the teenager had a limited criminal history, including stealing motor vehicles and burglary, and the sex offences were "out of character".
She also said there had been a "significant community response" to the events, and that threats had been made against the teenager.
She told the court that there was a potential risk to his safety when he travelled around the Kimberley.
Substance use no excuse, prosecutor says
The prosecutor in the case said the state did not accept that the youth did not remember what happened, adding that being under the influence of a substance was no excuse for the offending.
He told the court that denial meant "things don't get addressed".
The teenager, who was 16 when he was charged, had already spent 47 days in custody.
Children's Court of WA president Julie Wager said she accepted the youth's period in custody had been hard for him, telling him she was not going to give him any more time.
She told the court the 17-year-old had support from family members, was working on his employment skills and was also receiving help from others regarding cultural activities.
In addition to the intensive supervision order, the teenager was ordered to continue receiving counselling about drugs and alcohol.
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