Teen in Gladstone court for defying Jacko’s Grocery Store ban

A Central Queensland boy who has aspirations of becoming a sports commentator has faced the Childrens Court after he defied a grocery store ban.

A 16-year-old boy has faced Gladstone Childrens Court for defying a ban from Jacko's Grocery Store.

A Gladstone teenager has faced court for defying a ban from Jacko’s Grocery Store.

The boy, 16, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Childrens Court to one count of trespass.

The court heard the boy was banned from the store at Clinton.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said on November 22 last year, the boy entered the store with a male friend.

Sgt Hoskins said the friend bought the boy “some items” before the two walked out of the store.

The friend left but the boy stayed and loitered outside the store.

Sgt Hoskins said the boy called the store and asked if he could get a cash refund for the items.

The refund was given and the store owner told the boy he was not allowed in the store because he was banned.

The store owner later reported the trespass to Gladstone police.

The court heard the boy had a juvenile criminal history and he was on probation at the time of committing this offence.

Gladstone Courthouse.

A Youth Justice Court Coordinator told Magistrate Mary Buchanan the boy had been on a probation order since November 15 and his attendance had been “really good overall.”

The Youth Justice representative said the boy had engaged in a behavioural change program which he was “progressing through nicely.”

“He currently reports to Youth Justice three times a week,” she said.

Solicitor Bianca Wieland said the boy told police he had been banned from Jacko’s Grocery Store since 2023 but he had not been given any notice about when that ban would end.

“As far as anyone is aware, it (ban) is still in play,” Ms Wieland said.

“(The boy) instructs me that while he was aware of the ban, he wasn’t aware of when it might end.

“He instructs that he thought the ban might have ended at that time (of committing the trespass offence).”

Ms Wieland said the boy had aspirations to be a sports commentator and his brother was in court to support him.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan ordered a reprimand and no conviction was recorded.