Teen busted with drugs, knife at Gladstone McDonald’s store

A 15-year-old boy busted with drugs and a knife at a McDonald’s store has revealed a sad fact about his marijuana use.

A teenage boy has faced Gladstone Magistrates Court after he was busted with drugs and a knife at a local McDonald’s store. Generic image.

A teenager has faced court after he was busted with drugs and a knife at a Central Queensland McDonald’s store.

The boy, now 16, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Children’s Court on Friday to charges including public nuisance, obstructing police, possessing a knife in public and possessing dangerous drugs and utensils.

The court heard all of the offences stemmed from an incident on August 24 last year when police were called to Gladstone McDonald’s.

It was told the boy, then 15, was caught with cannabis and a knife in his possession, as well as a cone piece, and there were a number of juveniles involved in the incident.

The boy had no criminal history and police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said it was the teen’s first time in court.

Gladstone Courthouse.

In relation to penalty, Mr Boyd submitted a restorative justice order could be considered, but if the boy did not agree to that, then a reprimand would be suitable.

A Youth Justice court co-ordinator said the boy was not agreeable to a restorative justice order.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said the boy’s aunt was in court to support him.

Ms Wieland said the boy was educated to Year 10 at school and he had applied for jobs in an effort to get work as a mechanic or tyre fitter.

She said the boy had used cannabis since “a young age” with influence from his mum who gave it to him, and now that he was living with his aunt, his cannabis use had reduced and he was trying to wean himself off the drug.

Ms Wieland said the boy had been on bail with a curfew since the August incident and he had not reoffended in that time.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan imposed a reprimand and no convictions were recorded.