Teens’ disturbing Uber driver act
A teenager accused of murdering an Uber driver and dumping his body following a robbery attempt gone wrong has had his charge downgraded at court.
Tye Wayne Porter and another teenager – who cannot be identified as he was a child at the time of the offence – were both accused of killing Fraser Coast rideshare driver Scott Cabrie in February last year, after the 47-year-old’s body was found on a boat ramp.
Mr Cabrie was last seen leaving his Toogoom home on February 6 last year, with his friends sounding the alarm after he was not heard from for days.
His Nissan X Trail SUV was found torched in the nearby town of Pacific Haven a day later.
Porter and a teenager have been charged with fatally stabbing Mr Cabrie, 47, in Howard on February 7.
They were aged 18 and 17 at the time, respectively.
During his arraignment at Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, Porter entered a plea of not guilty to murder, instead pleading guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.
He also entered pleas of guilty to armed robbery in company and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Asked if he had anything to say in relation to the plea, Porter said: “Nup”.
In March the teenager – who cannot be identified under Queensland law – pleaded guilty to murder, armed robbery in company with violence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson.
The court was told Youth Justice reports about the co-accused teenager’s time in custody were still outstanding.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook said the pair could be sentenced together – which will not likely be until June.
He said a full day would be required for the sentencing and indicated the Crown would be seeking a serious violent offence declaration for Porter.
Under Queensland law, people declared serious violent offenders are required to serve 80 per cent of their sentences before being considered eligible for parole.
The court was told the teenager used the knife to inflict the fatal stab wound, according to an agreed statement of facts.
Mr Cabrie’s brother was seated in the back of court and watched proceedings.
Porter and the teenager will be sentenced on July 8 in Brisbane.
