Juvie’s horrifying break-in and attack on Townsville mum

A 15-year-old boy has been sentenced for his involvement in a shocking assault of a Qld mum that included her being locked inside the house and abused in front of her kid.

Juvie’s horrifying break-in and attack on Townsville mum. Picture: istock

A young boy has spent the last seven months in detention after his older, adult brother allegedly recruited him and three others to invade a woman’s home and beat her in front of her three-year-old child.

The 15-year-old Townsville boy was explained from the outset by Magistrate Steven Mosch that he was being sentenced for being “party” to the offence, despite not having assaulted the woman himself.

“You won’t necessarily like everything you’re going to hear,” the Magistrate said.

“It might be, no direct allegations against you. There are some general allegations of people joining in, you may not have done it yourself.

“I’m mindful of all those issues. I need you to be patient and listen, don’t blow up.”

The boy’s older brother had been released from custody last year for only an hour before he allegedly recruited two juveniles and two other adults to break into an 18-year-old woman’s home, the police prosecutor said.

“An adult blocked the entry of the dwelling and directions were given to the (woman) to sit on the couch,” the prosecution said.

“(The juvenile) was directed to kick the (woman) in the lower back and stomach.”

Magistrate Mosch added that it was the juvenile’s older sister who is accused of dragging the victim off the couch and kicking her in the head and stomach.

The co-accused smashed the woman’s phone and the child’s iPad, all while the three-year-old was present, the prosecutor alleged.

The group fled the scene with the woman’s wallet and keys.

“Further charges have occurred while he’s in custody,” the prosecutor said.

The 15-year-old was also charged with spitting at officers in the detention centre on three separate occasions, one of which landed in the eyes of the worker.

The prosecutor outlined the boy’s “extensive” criminal history which included a sentence of two years’ probation in 2023 for a grievous bodily harm charge and four months detention in 2024 for entering a premises with intent to commit and unlawful use of a vehicle.

“This matter is unusual,” Magistrate Mosch said.

“It was targeted offending motivated by the older brother.

“His brother has been charged with contravening a domestic violence order.”

The prosecutor could not confirm the status of the juvenile’s older brother and sister’s court proceedings.

“The pre-sentence report shows lack of empathy or insight into the offending, especially in respect to the victim his focus has been on a sense of injustice as he insists the co-offenders are free and at large,” the prosecutor said.

At an early age the juvenile was exposed to domestic violence against his mother, the prosecutor said and the court was told he often tried to protect her.

His lawyer said the boy had shown improvement in his behaviour after attending classes in detention and had been described by staff as now being “polite and respectful” towards them.

“He’s gone through a slight growing up period during detention which is to his credit,” she said.

“He speaks openly about not wanting to be in detention anymore and not wanting to end up in the adult system.”

She said he had aspirations of working in “hard labour” and had started writing down his life goals for when he gets out.

The boy pleaded guilty to deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault of a public officer, enter dwelling with intent to commit, wilful damage and stealing.

He was sentenced to 12 months detention, His Honour declared the 216 days he spent in pre-sentence custody as time already served and was given an immediate parole release date. No convictions were recorded.

The boy could be seen nodding during his sentence before he started crying when he was informed he would be released immediately, as did his mum who sat at the back of court.

“I need you to understand that the laws have changed,” Magistrate Mosch said.

“Yes I know Your Honour,” the boy replied.

An elder who was present for the sentence turned to the boy and reminded him of their conversations in the lead up.

“You pointed out you want to change your life,” she said to him.

“And I said ‘yes I believe you if you stick to it’ and that’s what I want you to do. You told me you want to even go to TAFE to start working and help your mum and be there for your niece and see her grow up.”

She told him to be a “leader” for his siblings.

“I don’t want to see you back here again,” she said before the boy hugged her.

Originally published as Juvie’s horrifying break-in and attack on Townsville mum