Juvie takes hammer to Currajong woman’s car in robbery attempt

A court has heard about the terrifying moment a woman drove out of her driveway, only to be blocked in by a car thief armed with a hammer.

Townsville Childrens District Court: Juvie takes hammer to Currajong woman’s car in robbery attempt.

A boy was armed with a hammer when he blocked a woman in her driveway and attempted to steal her car.

The now 16-year-old boy appeared in Townsville District Court on Monday after he shattered the windscreen of a woman’s car with a hammer in an attempt to steal her Toyota Corolla.

Crown prosecutor Andrew Lowrie said that in July last year, the boy and co-offenders stole an Isuzu MU-X from a 22-year-old woman and used that to steal other cars across Townsville including a Porsche.

The Porsche was driven in convoy with the other stolen car, but stopped due to police deploying a tyre deflation device.

Later that same day the Isuzu was used to pull up behind a woman who was reversing in her driveway from an address in Currajong.

The 16-year-old ran over armed with a hammer and said “give us the f—king car” before he smashed the windscreen causing glass to shatter over the woman, cutting her shoulders and back.

Police arrived and arrested the boy who was hiding on an apartment balcony.

Mr Lowrie said the boy who had already been dealt with by a court 17 previous times, was also declared a serious repeat offender in the Townsville Magistrates Court.

The boy had been charged with offences such as stealing, unlawful use of motor vehicles, common assault, serious assault and entering premises with intent to commit and had previously been sentenced to probation, reprimands, community service orders and detention.

Judge Christopher Khaler reflected on the woman’s victim impact statement which described the moment the juveniles tried to steal her car.

“I thought surely not, not in my driveway, not on my quiet street,” the woman’s statement read.

“It hurt in a hundred different places.

“I was in so much shock any movement made the cuts worse.”

Judge Khaler turned to the boy and asked what he wanted to do with his life.

“I need to change my life,” the boy said.

“I want to find a job, look after my parents.”

His Honour asked how he would feel if it were his siblings committing such crimes.

“I’d be sad, be hurt,” the boy replied.

The judge also spoke to the boys’ parents who sat at the back of the court and asked what they hoped for their son.

“That he turns his life around. We’ve got plans for him to get an education,” the father said.

The boy pleaded guilty to attempted robbery while armed in company.

He was sentenced to 18 months detention to be granted parole after serving 60 per cent. His Honour noted he had already served 338 days in custody. No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Juvie takes hammer to Currajong woman’s car in robbery attempt