15yo with lengthy history described as ‘good news story’ in court

The teen faced the Townsville Childrens Court with a nine-page history and pleaded guilty to robbery.

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A BOY with a nine-page criminal history has been described by a barrister as a “good news story” after pleading guilty to robbery.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery in company in the Townsville Childrens Court on Tuesday.

Crown Prosecutor Molly Mahlouzarides said the boy’s history mainly consisted of property and dishonesty offences including 17 convictions for stealing, 13 for unlawful use of a vehicle and 12 for entering or attempting to enter businesses or homes.

The court heard he had also previously assaulted a youth worker at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

Ms Mahlouzarides said the robbery before the court had been committed when the boy was subject to community service and probation orders.

It was heard the boy approached a 17-year-old pushing his bicycle on a street in Pimlico in August last year and “hassled” him to ride it.

He grabbed the handlebars to pull it away before raising his fists and threatened him saying “if you don’t give me the f----g bike I’m going to punch you,” Ms Mahlouzarides said.

It was at that stage the 17-year-old handed over the bike, before the boy rode off on it.

He was identified by police through a video recording taken by the owner’s friend before being arrested the next day.

The boy’s barrister, Kelly Stone, said his client’s pre-sentence report was “glowing” and pointed to changes in the boy’s behaviour and attitude.

“He reads something like a good news story for rehabilitation,” Mr Stone said referencing “sterling efforts” to change his behaviour and attitude.

The court heard the boy had made significant steps to turn his life around and wanted to be a mentor for other troubled kids.

Mr Stone said the boy was a talented football player who was focused on obtaining scholarships.

In sentencing, Judge Deborah Richards said the community was “rightly” outraged that kids were rampaging and sentenced the boy to nine months probation.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as 15yo with lengthy history described as ‘good news story’ in court