Teenage boy, 16, faces Warwick District Court on burglary, attempted stealing charges

A teenage boy who brandished a large kitchen knife while trying to rob a 68-year-old Warwick man has wound up in court after a clumsy getaway led police straight to his door.

A teenager who broke into an elderly Warwick man’s home and threatened him with a knife has fronted court after a botched escape attempt saw him reveal his identity to the victim and leave evidence at the scene.

The now-16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, entered the 68-year-old man’s Warwick property through the back door at about midday on December 8, 2020.

Crown prosecutor Bernard Berger told Warwick District Court that the man was eating lunch and watching television in the dining room, with the teenager approaching him from behind and standing over him.

“The victim saw he held a large kitchen knife at his right shoulder, holding it by the handle with the blade pointed towards him, and he was holding his hood closed with his left hand to obscure his identity,” he said.

Mr Berger said the boy told the man, “I’m here to rob you”, before reaching across him and to pick up a tin of tobacco from the table and put it in his backpack.

It was at this point the elderly victim fought back and hit the teenager in the chest, causing him to fall backwards and drop the weapon and his backpack.

The boy quickly fled the property on foot, but the hasty getaway proved his undoing when he left his backpack behind and dropped his hood, allowing the other man to recognise him.

Mr Berger said police soon caught up with the teenager, who claimed he’d been at the victim’s home for an entirely different reason.

“During the interview (he) alleged he had attended the complainant’s home to smoke cannabis, and while there the complainant had made advances towards him, rubbing him up and down on his leg,” he said.

“The defendant pushed his hand away and ran from the house, and he stated he had the knife for his protection.

“That version is obviously not accepted by the Crown and will not proceed to sentence.”

Defence barrister Jessica Goldie said her client was going through a hard time when the offence was committed, adding her client had since been diagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and anti-social personality disorder.

She said subsequent medications for all ailments had significantly improved his mental health.

Judge Nathan Jarro said the teenager’s clean criminal history weighed in his favour, but warned he would likely receive a more severe punishment if he was brought back before the courts.

“This offence occurred upon a 68-year-old man. He had medical conditions himself, he had a stroke that reduced his mobility and strength to the right side of his body,” he said.

“Police eventually caught up with you, and you then tried to shift the blame onto (the victim).”

The boy pleaded guilty to one count each of burglary while armed with violence and attempted stealing.

He was placed on probation for 12 months and no conviction was recorded.