Teenager Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter After Deadly Push on Hobart Waterfront: ‘Kind-Hearted’ Indian Man Drowns in River
- A 19-year-old has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after pushing an Indian man into the river on Hobart’s waterfront, resulting in his drowning death.
- The victim, Deepinderjeet Singh, was on a first date with a woman when the incident occurred, and neither of them knew how to swim.
- The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was part of a group of four people who were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery over the incident.
In a shocking development, a teenager has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after pushing a “kind-hearted” Indian man into the river on Hobart’s waterfront, resulting in his tragic drowning death. The incident occurred in late January 2024, when Deepinderjeet Singh, 27, was on a first date with a woman near Franklin Wharf.
According to Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Avery, the pair were sitting on the edge of the wharf when the teenager, who was part of a group of four people, pushed them into the water and stole the woman’s handbag. While the woman managed to cling to a nearby railing and pull herself out, Mr Singh was unable to swim and drowned.
The court heard that the group of teenagers had discussed shoving the pair into the water and stealing the handbag before the incident occurred. After pushing the pair into the river, the group left with the handbag and “one or two of them were laughing as they ran off”.
Later that night, the group used a credit card from the woman’s handbag to make purchases at a Kmart store in New Town, including neon clothing, LED lights, a Bluey book, a compact shaver, and snack food. The total cost of the purchases was over $200.
Defence counsel Philippa Willshire told the court that the teenager had resolved to turn his life around and become a positive influence to those around him. However, Crown prosecutor Avery argued that the brazenness of the crime meant it should be placed on the serious end of manslaughter.
Chief Justice Christopher Shanahan is expected to sentence the teenager in November. The teenager’s lawyer expressed concerns that sending him to an adult prison would “unravel” his rehabilitation, while the prosecution argued that a term of imprisonment would be “appropriate”.
The incident has left the community in shock, with friends and colleagues of Mr Singh remembering him as a “kind-hearted” and “happy” person. A vigil was held in his honour, with floral tributes left at Franklin Wharf.