‘I’m paranoid now’: Mackay car theft victim speaks out on youth crime

Community leader says the government’s new youth justice reforms, which passed through parliament last week, did not go far enough.

A Mackay business owner has opened up about the trauma of having a thief break into her home while she slept to steal her car.

Jim’s Mowing North Queensland master franchisor Kylee Stanton became a victim of crime eight weeks ago when a young offender stole her work vehicle and trailer.

Ms Stanton is still waiting for her vehicle to be replaced because of delays with her insurer.

She said the crime had impacted her family financially and emotionally.

“There’s so many consequences from these crimes,” she said.

“For us, it’s immeasurable. The material things can be replaced, but that loss of productivity within the business – the psychological effects on our children.

“Im paranoid now. I’d never leave the house without my handbag.

“We’ve got deadbolts on all the doors now.”

Mackay business owner Kylee Stanton.

Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm said the state government’s new youth justice reforms, which passed through parliament last week, did not go far enough.

“I have been receiving a number of calls and letters across the electorate from people who aren’t feeling safe in their homes, who are frustrated that this legislation does not go far enough,” Ms Camm said.

“As part of the Opposition’s policy, we would like to see a return of breach of bail (as an offence).

“I would like to see greater intervention early on with young people and in particular, families.

“There needs to be greater early intervention and support for families and in particular, teenagers.”

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Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm. Picture: Tara Croser.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said police had welcomed the government’s suite of youth justice reforms, which made the current bail framework “even stronger”.

“We are arming the police and the courts with the tools to crack down hard on that 10 per cent cohort of hardcore recidivist youth offenders,” Mr Ryan said.

“In relation to so-called breach of bail, the LNP is in need of a lesson in legislative history. A breach of bail offence has never applied to a youth offender in Queensland. Ever.

“What the LNP call ‘breach of bail’ and what existed during their term in 2014-16, was not a ‘breach of bail’ offence.

“It was an offence to be found guilty of an offence while on bail for allegedly committing an offence.

“It meant the offender received a lesser punishment than they would have if the LNP’s flawed and failed law didn’t exist.”

Under the government’s reforms, a recidivist offender will have to prove to the court they are not a risk to the community.

Mr Ryan said if they could not, they would remain in detention.

“Police can already arrest a young person on the spot, without a warrant, if the young person has breached their bail, or even if they reasonably suspect the person is likely to breach a bail condition, before the breach has even happened,” he said.

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Originally published as ‘I’m paranoid now’: Mackay car theft victim speaks out on youth crime