There is no fault on the club's part here and it serves no good purpose speculating on the facts or Troy's guilt or innocence. What we can say is this. If he is found to be not guilty, well and good. If on the other hand he is found to be guilty and the magistrate or judge has discretion under the law as to whether a custodial sentence is required, Troy would seem to have some things working in his favour:
Firstly, he has gainful employment, career prospects and professional and social support in an environment quite different to that in which he has seemed to find trouble. This goes to the likelihood of both re-offence and rehabilitation. It could also be argued that these aspects increase the weight of a custodial sentence.
Secondly, as best we can tell Troy has attempted to pick himself up by the bootstraps after finding himself in trouble as a minor. This would go to his credit.
Thirdly, through RFC's work with the Indiginous Institute here and in the NT, schools programmes etc there is an ideal avenue through which community service could be performed.
Unless the facts were absolutely clear cut AND the act (if any) was so serious as to require prison under sentencing laws, I suspect a magistrate or judge would be reluctant to lock the kid up. Believe it or not most people in the criminal legal system in the NT have a fair bit of common sense, do care and do their best under outrageously complex socio-economic and political circumstances.
