Riley Gavin George Turcan in court for wilful damage to car wash
A Maryborough court has heard how an 18-year-old father succumbed to peer pressure because he wanted to be “one of the gang” and to impress his friends.
Police & Courts
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A teenager who did a burnout at a Maryborough car wash cost the business $11,000 in just a few seconds, a court has heard.
Riley Gavin George Turcan, 18, pleaded guilty to one count of wilful damage when he appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The court heard the incident took place at Maryborough Car Wash on Saltwater Creek Rd at St Helens on April 25, 2025, at 9.17pm.
Turcan had gone to the business, which was closed at the time, in a white Commodore sedan, and was seen on CCTV driving into the car wash bay.
He could be heard revving the engine a few times before a “constant revving and squealing of tyres” could be heard for about three continuous seconds, the court was told.
Turcan then drove out of the car wash bay and away from the business.
Staff members arrived the next morning and saw the damage caused by Turcan.
A burnout the teen had done had created several small holes in the sealed flooring, causing it to lose its waterproof abilities, the court heard.
When Turcan was spoken to by police he admitted what he had done and said he’d felt pressured by his friends who were in the car, had noticed the damage and felt bad about it.
The court was told $11,000 was sought in restitution, to cover the damage and lost income.
Turcan had no previous history.
Duty lawyer Warren Hunter said Turcan was supported in court by his partner and also had an 18-month-old son.
He was not currently working, but had previously had an apprenticeship that didn’t work out “through no fault of his own”.
Mr Hunter said not withstanding the “stupidity of his act”, Turcan came across as a young man with some potential.
In relation to the offence, it had come about through peer pressure as well as his own decision.
Turcan had wanted to be “one of the gang”, Mr Hunter said, and did the burnout “to their cheers”.
But when questioned by police he had readily admitted the offence and been cooperative, Mr Hunter said.
He asked Magistrate John Milburn to consider Turcan’s ability to pay restitution given he was not employed.
Mr Milburn said he would sentence Turcan to a period of eight months on parole.
He said Turcan had revved the engine significantly and had caused extensive damage.
Mr Milburn said Turcan had been urged by his friends to act in the way he did.
No restitution was ordered and no conviction was recorded.
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