Teenager’s crime spree involved burglaries, unlawful use of motor vehicles

The 17-year-old along with his mates broke into homes, stole cars and on one occasion bashed a homeowner in Mitchell who confronted them. See what his punishment was.

A teenager who went on a two-day crime spree that included three separate burglaries and the assault of a homeowner has been ordered to probation with no conviction recorded.

The 18-year-old was a juvenile of 17 when he committed the 13 offences to which he pleaded guilty before the Children’s Court of Queensland at Toowoomba and so was sentenced as a juvenile and cannot be named.

“This is the last occasion you will be dealt with by the children’s court,” Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC told the teenager.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC

Judge Horneman-Wren explained that even if the teenager was sentenced to detention for these offences he would serve that time in an adult jail along with “serious and recidivist offenders”.

Crown prosecutor Emily Coley told the court the teenager and mates had entered dwellings while the home occupants were asleep and stole property including keys to cars.

In all, three vehicles were unlawfully used by the group, a Mercedes and two Landcruisers, she said.

All vehicles had been abandoned and recovered, the court heard.

One car had been driven away from a Dalby home the group broke into and driven to Mitchell where another vehicle was taken, she said.

During the third burglary, the home occupant had woken and confronted the group, trying to take the stolen car keys from the vehicle’s ignition, Ms Coley said.

That victim was punched and kicked by the group on the ground, she said.

The teenager had spent eight and a half months in detention and a pre-sentence report said that in that time he had gained insight into his offending and realised drugs and alcohol were behind his offending, the court heard.

Defence barrister Nathan Edridge told the court the teenager had good prospects of rehabilitation and had the prospect of work upon his release from custody.

Judge Horneman-Wren sentenced the teenager to 15 months probation and ordered the convictions not be recorded.

Originally published as Teenager’s crime spree involved burglaries, unlawful use of motor vehicles