A Canberra teenager who killed an elderly man in a random and unprovoked assault has pleaded with his victim’s family for forgiveness.
Key points:

• The young man killed 82-year-old Richard Cater as he was dropped home by friends after a night out
• The Canberra teenager had taken LSD before he attacked the group
• Today he faced court, where he begged for the forgiveness of his victim’s family

The teenager, who cannot be named because he was a child at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty earlier this year to the murder of 82-year-old grandfather Richard “Dick” Cater.
Friends were dropping Mr Cater off at his north Canberra home after a night out at a restaurant in March 2019 when the teenager launched his attack.
The teenager, who was high on LSD, descended on the group, tearing at the mouth of one man and snapping the neck of another woman who was trying to help.
Court documents said that throughout the attack the boy repeatedly threatened them and made “monster prehistoric sounds”.
“I’m going to kill you, I’m going to kill you,” he was alleged to have said.
Mr Cater got out of the car to help, but was then attacked himself, with the youth stomping on his head.
He later died in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Teen blames ‘drug experimentation’ for murder
From the witness box in court today, the young man said it broke his heart to know he had robbed Mr Cater’s family of a beloved father and grandfather.
“I am truly sorry for the terrifying attack that you experienced,” he said.
“Every day I am reminded of the fear and heartache I have inflicted on you and your family and friends.
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“For me to accept how this shocking attack was something I was capable of has been very difficult.
“It breaks my heart to know innocent people have been injured and a loved one has died from my drug experimentation, a mistake I will regret for the rest of my life.
“I have taken an innocent husband, dad and grandfather away from his family and friends and left a hole in your lives that I will never be able to fill, but I hope you can forgive me and know that I am truly sorry.”
Earlier in the sentencing hearing, Mr Cater’s family remembered him as an honest and loving family man, who died trying to protect his wife and friends from the brutal attack.
The court heard the family had been planning to celebrate Mr Cater’s 60th wedding anniversary, but instead was forced to organise his funeral.