Juvenile thief’s 100+ offence history includes stolen cars, alcohol

A teen joy-rider who almost crashed a stolen car into a power pole while driving dangerously had 25 prior convictions for unlawful use of a motor vehicle among his 94 convictions.

A teenager drove multiple stolen vehicles around the Rockhampton area.

A teen joy-rider who almost crashed a stolen car into a power pole while driving dangerously had 25 prior convictions for unlawful use of a motor vehicle among his 94 convictions outlined on a 10-page history.

The teen, now 18 but aged 17 at the time of the offences, was sentenced in Rockhampton District Court on November 16 for three counts of receiving tainted property, three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of possessing a dangerous drug, burglary and stealing, attempted robbery in company, stealing, failing to stop a motor vehicle when directed by police, unlicensed driving and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

He had entered pleas of guilty for all offences on October 5 and a presentence report was ordered.

The child, with a co-offender, assaulted a male bottle shop employee on October 2, 2021, where bottles of alcohol were thrown at the victim as the pair attempted to flee with booze.

The defendant had grabbed three bottles of Woodstock Bourbon while his co-offender grabbed six packs of Jim Beam, throwing one of the Jim Beam packs at a Victoria Tavern employee – all captured on CCTV.

The rest of the charges took place in December 2021 and involved receiving keys to a Ford Ranger stolen from Pacific Heights on December 9, with a video recorded by co-offenders showing it being driven around George Street and Gladstone Road, Rockhampton and Gracemere.

The child also received the keys to a stolen Nissan Dualis on December 11 in North Rockhampton and drove it, and received the keys to a stolen Toyota Landcruiser on December 12 in Norman Gardens and drove it.

He failed to stop the Landcruiser when police turned on their lights and sirens and was driving unlicensed on Barrett Street, Norman Gardens.

The dangerous operation of a motor vehicle charge came after the child drove the stolen Nissan Dualis at high speed, nearly running into a power pole, doing burnouts in a shopping centre car park near Bolsover Street and not signalling before turning.

Ms Wormsley said police received four calls between about 9pm and 11pm about the dangerous driving.

“At 11.13pm, the defendant drove past a police officer who was inside a marked car … the occupants yelled out of the car to police,” she said.

Ms Wormsley said the defendant turned sharply onto another street, causing the tyres to screech.

“Police have deployed a tyre deflation device (at 11.50pm) on Moores Creek Road,” she said.

“The defendant continued to drive at high speed until immobilised.

“The defendant then ran from the driver’s seat.

“Two passengers were apprehended while the defendant and another passenger escaped police.”

Ms Wormsley said that a couple of hours later, a Toyota Landcruiser was stolen from a Norman Gardens residence.

She said the defendant was sighted by multiple people driving the stolen Landcruiser and they contacted police.

“At 2.20am, police sighted the stolen Landcruiser speed up and slow down in a bid to avoid detection on Barrett St,” Ms Wormsley said.

“Police activated their lights and sirens and the defendant drove at a higher speed on the wrong side of the road towards oncoming traffic.

“They subsequently terminated the attempt at intercept.”
He also stole, with a co-offender, racing bikes worth $5000 which were stored underneath a house at The Range on December 13.

That day, police found him in possession of 3.2 grams of marijuana he had kept in his bag.

Ms Wormsley said the defendant had a 10-page criminal record with 94 offences including 25 prior unlawful use of motor vehicles, 14 convictions for burglary or attempted burglary with varying aggravations and 20 convictions for entering premises or dwelling with various aggravations.

She said there were also convictions for obstructing police, failing to appear in court and evading police.

The defendant was on probation and a conditional release order after the first offence.

Ms Wormsley said a presentence report highlighted the child’s exposure to domestic violence, reduced parental boundaries, substance abuse where he claimed he smoked 14gms of marijuana at the time of the offending and that emotional regulation and anti-social peer association were contributing factors to his recidivism.

Defence barrister Maree Willey said her client had been staying home with his grandmother who said he had been “keeping his head low” since being released back into the community.

She said the grandmother said she’d had many talks with the defendant about not going back before the court or finding himself incarcerated.

Ms Willey said the defendant was not attending school but was interested in gaining employment, maybe as a mechanic.

Judge Jeff Clarke said the defendant had placed himself, his passengers and other road users at “considerable peril”.

He warned the now 18 year old that if he continued to offend, he would face a different sentencing regime which could result in his return to custody.

“It was actually, I must tell you quite pleasing to read that you showed quite a responsible attitude towards the report writer, you were, it seems able to convey your feelings of remorse and empathy, even though you didn’t tell the police about that when you were given an opportunity to be interviewed,” Judge Clarke said.

“You expressed an interest in gaining employment playing footy and you’ve got someone giving you some help with obtaining some long-term housing and getting your basic identification documents that you need.

“And you expressed a willingness to participate in all supervised sentence orders.

“Everyone grows up … and it seems to me that you’re getting there.”

Judge Clarke sentenced the defendant to 10 months detention, wholly suspended and placed him on a conditional release order for three months.

He also sentenced him to 135 days detention, declared 135 days presentence custody as time served and placed him on 12 months probation.

No convictions were recorded.