australian television information archive

Reckless Indifference

A youth is charged with a long list of offences, including attempted murder, after a high-speed chase ends with him nearly running down a police officer.

The young man refuses to give his name to investigators and is remanded into custody until such time as he reveals his name. In talking to legal aid lawyer Mark Noble he eventually provides a name but Magistrate Glenda de Bono remands him for another four weeks when he refuses to co-operate further.

The police officer who was almost killed refuses the suggestion by Tina Bertram of the DPP to drop the difficult to prove attempted murder charge and prosecute him instead on a representative set of charges. The situation takes an unexpected turn when the youth is recognised in court by a reporter and is revealed as Shane Hennessey, Shirl's youngest son.

Tina Bertram asks Peter Faithfull to talk to Constable Waring to convince him to reduce the charges to guarantee a conviction on the lesser offences, and this time, with a Hennessey involved, he agrees.

Shane has his reasons for staying away from the family and refuses Michael Kidd's services, deciding to keep Mark Noble who assures him of a light sentence. Magistrate Glenda de Bono hands down a one year sentence but agrees with Mark Noble's request to suspend the suspended sentence in light of Shane's age, minor prior convictions and his time served.