Geraldton teen Chantelle Anne Lowe, spared jail despite ‘worst beach attack in 20-years’

A teenage girl responsible for one of Geraldton’s “most brutal and savage” assaults has avoided jail time, despite video evidence showing her repeatedly taunting and bashing a defenceless 17-year-old. In September 2021 Chantelle Anne Lowe, 19, and another teenager were drunk when they took their friend to a beach in the West End to film themselves assaulting her. For up to 30-minutes Lowe and another took turns kicking and punching their victim to the face and pulled out her “blood-stained hair” when she attempted to escape. Lowe was said to have taken the girl to a nearby public toilet to clean her up, but recommenced the brutal assault before taking her to the hospital. Once arrested, the 19-year-old freely admitted to police her actions saying she “took her there to bash her”. Appearing in Geraldton Magistrates Court on Monday, Lowe was sentenced to a suspended imprisonment order for the charge of acts causing bodily harm or danger to a person. It’s understood her co-accused received a nine-month juvenile community-based order in the Geraldton Children’s Court earlier this year. Police prosecutor Acting Sgt Dean Solman advocated for immediate prison time and said viewing the footage of the assault “was almost like looking at animals toying with prey . . . the victim was outnumbered and didn’t stand a chance,” he said. “It is one of the most brutal assaults I have witnessed in my career.” Magistrate Angus Hockton said Lowe avoided immediate jail time “by the narrowest of margins” because of her age and rehabilitation needs. “The sergeant described this as a brutal and savage assault and those were really apt words because this victim was unable to defend herself, her hair is being ripped out and when she gets cleaned up it starts over again. “It was more than bullying, she’s not fighting back and the fact it’s being recorded adds to the level of hurt and humiliation. “It was cowardly because it was two against one and she was doing nothing to provoke other than trying to get away. “You have extensive mental health issues . . . If you don’t seek the help that you need then the community requires to be protected from you and there is one way to ensure you’re not behaving like this and that is to put you in custody.” Lowe’s 10-month term was suspended for 12-months and she will be required to undergo counselling and supervision requirements or face the suspension being lifted.