‘FTP’: Child charged again five days after bail release

A young boy, who was allegedly part of a teenage gang who stole a car and posed with it on social media, has been busted by police again just five days after being granted bail.

A boy given bail over property offences including the theft of a car which circulated on social media has been arrested again.

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A YOUNG boy who was allegedly part of a teenage gang who posed with a stolen car on social media has been busted by police again just five days after being granted bail.

The 12-year-old, who cannot be identified due to his age, has an Instagram bio saying “I was raised by a drug dealer” and “FTP” with a following of more than 1400 people.

He was among eight people charged with the theft of a Holden Commodore last week with the image of youths posing in and around the orange vehicle being circulated widely on social media.

After being granted bail on Tuesday he was taken into custody again on Saturday and charged with attempting to break into a house in Mooroobool.

It is understood he has now been remanded in custody.

Five boys aged between 11-14 were charged with breaking into two Mareeba schools over the weekend.

The 12-year-old was among 15 people charged by the Cairns Property Crime Squad over the weekend with a total of 59 offences.

Among the group were 10 juveniles aged between 12 and 17, a 19-year-old woman and four men aged between 20-44.

The 19-year-old woman, Gemma Michelle Letchford, appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday facing 15 property and weapons offences, including possession of a firearm.

Defence solicitor Carly Fernando told the court she was struggling with a methylamphetamine addiction and had been living a transient lifestyle, but could go and live with her father at Mena Creek if granted bail.

Magistrate Jacqui Payne said she needed to know whether her father would accept her back at home before granting bail and adjourned the matter until today.

“You’re very young and you don’t have a criminal history,” she said. “At the moment things are out of control for you, that’s what the police are saying.

The court heard she had previously faced offences and failed to show up to court, pleading guilty to failing to appear and receiving a $200 fine.

Originally published as ‘FTP’: Child charged again five days after bail release