Bec Judd has once again directed criticism at the authorities in Victoria, expressing her frustration over violent offenders being released without adequate punishment.
Bec Judd Criticises Lenient Sentencing for Violent Offenders as She Continues Her Campaign Against Crime: 'Australians Are Angry'
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The influencer is fervently campaigning to reduce crime rates in Melbourne, especially in her affluent Bayside suburb, and has become a persistent critic of Jacinta Allan's state government.
In her latest statement, Bec voiced her outrage that one of the youths involved in the kidnapping of teenager Benjamin Phikhohpoom, which resulted in permanent brain damage, had been released despite pleading guilty.
"Victoria, this is unacceptable, but sadly just another case of a violent offender being let off due to our weak laws," Bec wrote on social media.
She also highlighted a response from one of her many followers, which suggested: "Perhaps victims should take their cases to civil courts where leniency might not be as prevalent. Could there also be grounds for a case against the judge in civil court?"
Bec continued: "I receive hundreds of DMs like this. People are enraged at magistrates but confused by the legal process. I would appreciate a clearer understanding of how much a penalty decision is influenced by the law versus the magistrate's discretion.
"If you’re a legal expert and can explain this in layman's terms for me to share with my audience, please get in touch (I will protect your identity). Victorians are frustrated and bewildered by the decision-making process. Is the government to blame, or the magistrates, or the Attorney-General? Thank you."
Benjamin sustained life-altering injuries when he was allegedly pulled into a stolen car by a group of three teenagers around 3.30 pm outside Glen Eira College in Melbourne’s southeast last September.
The group, comprising two boys and a girl, were reportedly armed with machetes and demanded Benjamin hand over his phone and belongings.
He was then allegedly run over by the car and dragged for 150 metres before being stabbed and run over again when thrown from the vehicle.
Bystanders found Benjamin vomiting blood, and he was rushed to hospital where he spent six days in a coma with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
However, a plea deal with prosecutors led to charges of intentionally causing serious injury and reckless conduct being dropped.
Benjamin's mother, Wannisa Srichan, commented that while some justice had been achieved, the family remained 'very saddened by the outcome.'
"What this boy did was very serious and it has affected my son profoundly," she told the Herald Sun.
"I attended the court case today, and it was very difficult… My son is still suffering; he is struggling.
"It's been nearly 10 months, and we are incredibly angry that our family has had to endure this. Benjamin did not deserve this."
The teenage accused had spent 43 days in custody before being granted bail in October.
Last month, Bec criticised Melbourne as 'woke, broke and violent' after residents were advised to place Apple AirTags in their cars amid a surge in crime.
The football WAG, who resides in a £7.3 million mansion in Brighton, commented on an interview between 3AW radio's Jacqui Felgate and Sandringham Liberal MP Brad Rowswell.
During the discussion, Mr Rowswell was asked about the rise in violent crime in Melbourne's suburbs and a suggestion at a community safety forum in Beaumaris that residents consider using AirTag trackers in their vehicles—a suggestion that Judd criticised.
"Melbourne, this is disheartening. Woke, broke and violent. I can’t believe we are living like this," Judd wrote online.
In March, Judd had also called out Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan following a home invasion in Bayside that left an elderly man in critical condition.
Three offenders broke into a home in Beaumaris, close to Judd's residence, and attacked the man.
His wife, aged 75, who was also present, was not injured, and nothing was believed to have been stolen.
"Just another night in Victoria (yes, this is Bayside again, but we know this happens everywhere)," Judd told her Instagram followers at the time.
"Jacinta Allan, how are you still avoiding this? Let’s see how many of the alleged offenders are out on bail… My thoughts are with the victim in ICU and his poor wife."
In June 2022, Judd had expressed feeling 'unsafe' in her mansion and voiced frustration over the rise in rapes, assaults, and home invasions by gangs in Bayside.
"I personally know two women who have experienced home invasions in Brighton in recent weeks while they were at home," she said.
She also reposted CCTV footage of a gang of young men lurking outside properties in her affluent suburb and claimed it made her feel 'unsafe'.
Last year, she reiterated her belief that Melbourne's elite suburbs were under siege by criminals and 'machete-wielding thugs', calling for changes to youth offending laws.
She and her husband Chris have four children: daughter Billie, nine; son Oscar, 12; and twins Darcy and Tom, seven.