Six boys charged over taking a car from nonagenarian in Whitfield aged care home

Six boys, aged 14 and 16, have been charged for allegedly taking a 91-year-old man’s car from his Whitfield aged care home on Christmas Eve then using it in a liquor store break-in.

Six teenagers have been charged over a Christmas Eve crime in which an elderly man’s car was allegedly taken from his aged care home, then used in a liquor store break and enter. Photo: File image

Six teenagers have been charged over a Christmas Eve crime in which a 91-year-old man’s car was allegedly taken from his aged care home while he was inside his unit, then used in a liquor store break and enter.

One of the boys was granted a conditional bail in Cairns Children’s Court last week.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Stewart Clyde-Smith described the offence as “aggravated”, saying the car belonged to a 91-year-old man who was inside his unit when he heard his car being stolen.

“In my submission, community safety is absolutely paramount ... and this offence was aggravating in terms of going into an aged care home,” Sergeant Clyde-Smith said in relation to an application for bail by one boy, 14, from Edmonton.

“This facility is very well signed as an aged care home.

“The victim in this case was 91 and has heard that his car is being stolen on Christmas (Eve) while he was inside.”

Six teenagers have been charged over a Christmas Eve crime in which an elderly man’s car was allegedly taken from his aged care home, then used in a liquor store break and enter. Photo: File image

Duty lawyer Connor Davey, acting for the boy, said he had family support, was willing to comply with bail conditions, and had good prospects of rehabilitation as he had been accepted into an education program in the new year.

Mr Davey said the boy lived with a family member in Edmonton, and the boy understood it was a “slippery slope” if he did not comply with bail conditions.

Acting Magistrate Raimund Heggie placed the boy on a conditional bail, with requirements that he report to police once a week, not have any contact with any of the other children involved, and abide by a curfew to be at home between 8pm and 6am every night.

His matters will be mentioned again in Cairns Children’s Court on January 24, 2025.

Six teenagers have been charged over a Christmas Eve crime in which an elderly man’s car was allegedly taken from his aged care home, then used in a liquor store break and enter. Photo: File image

A police spokeswoman said it will be alleged the group entered a dwelling and stole car keys, before taking the vehicle.

It is further alleged the vehicle was used during a break and enter at a business on the corner of Hardy Road and Malabar Street, where alcohol and other items were stolen.

She said one boy, 14, from Edmonton, was charged with one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle, enter dwelling and commit, and wilful damage.

Another boy, also 14, from Edmonton, was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and obstruct police officer.

The remaining four boys were charged with unlawful use of motor vehicle. Three of these boys are also from Edmonton, aged 16 and two boys aged 14, and one is from Bungalow, aged 14.

The boys’ matters were adjourned for mention in Cairns Children’s Court for various dates in January.

Originally published as Six boys charged over taking a car from nonagenarian in Whitfield aged care home