Teens in Rockhampton court for Mackay stolen car used in Nebo BP service station

Two juveniles busted exiting a stolen car at a Mackay petrol station have fronted court with 25 prior unlawful use of motor vehicle offences between them.

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Two juveniles busted with two others exiting a stolen car at a Mackay petrol station have fronted court with 25 prior unlawful use of motor vehicle offences between them.

One of the juveniles had previously been punished by courts for unlawful use of motor vehicles 17 times and the other had front court only days earlier for 22 charges - eight for unlawful use of motor vehicles.

The first teen applied for bail while the second teenager pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Children’s Court on December 23 to one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle.

Police prosecutor Ruth Whisker said the victim reported unknown offenders robbed her residence sometime between 11pm on December 14 and 3am December 15, taking keys to a 2012 Hyundai iX35, a wallet, house keys and a BMW motorcycle.

She said the Hyundai was seen entered the BP petrol station on Nebo Road at West Mackay about 4.50pm on December and four offenders exited the vehicle.

Both defendants were passengers in the car.

Ms Whisker said the second defendant purchased two energy drinks and fuel before returning to the vehicle but the group ended up leaving the Hyundai at the petrol station and leaving the area on foot.

She said one of the offenders returned later and drove off in the Hyundai.

Ms Whisker said the child told police when they arrested him that the others had picked him up in the vehicle and he had not participated in the burglary.

She said he added they had abandoned the car at the service station when they had issues with the keys.

A Youth Justice spokeswoman told the court the second defendant had appeared in a children’s court on December 13 where he was sentenced for 22 offences to a restorative justice court diversion program.

She said that has yet to be finalised.

Defence lawyer Sean Gibbs said his client had spent the better part of the year at a rehabilitation centre in southern Queensland.

He said the teen aspired to join the Army after he completes school.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne, who told the 16-year-old he “might need to get a new group of friends”, order his unlawful use of motor vehicle use of a motor vehicle to join is 22 other charges in the restorative justice process.

Both juveniles had spent three nights in the Mackay watchhouse before they fronted court.

Ms Whisker said the first defendant had failed to appear in Mackay Childrens Court on December 20.

She said he claimed he wasn’t aware the car was stolen but he also told police he knew the driver did not have a job.

The court heard the first defendant, aged 17, has other matters outstanding in the children’s court to be mentioned on January 10.

He had been sentenced to a three-month conditional release order on November 29.

Ms Whisker said his juvenile record includes for the 17 unlawful use offences, four enter dwelling and premises along with 18 stealing and property offences, plus 11 breaches of bail.

The first defendant was granted bail and his charge was adjourned to January 10.