Teen accused of being in car after Vyleen White fatal stabbing vyes for release

A “confirmed” teen gang member is vying to be released from detention, expected to plead guilty to being in the stolen car following Vyleen White’s fatal stabbing at an Ipswich shopping centre carpark, a court has heard.

Vyleen White died at a suburban shopping centre after allegedly being stabbed. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

A “confirmed” teen gang member is vying to be released from detention on Wednesday, expected to plead guilty to being in the stolen car following Vyleen White’s fatal stabbing in an Ipswich shopping centre carpark, a court has heard.

The 16-year-old boy was detained and refused bail earlier this month following multiple alleged breaches of his bail conditions.

The court heard the breaches were alleged to have occurred while he was on bail charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle linked to the fatal stabbing of beloved Ipswich grandmother Vyleen White.

The boy was not involved in the stabbing incident itself, in which police allege another boy stabbed Ms White at Redbank Town Square carpark on February 3, 2024, in an attempt to steal her car.

In refusing bail, Acting Magistrate Rob Turra said the “confirmed member” of a gang had allegedly been out of his house during curfew on six occasions in December alone.

The boy, who has now spent 21 days in detention, attempted to plead guilty on Tuesday to the unlawful use charge, along with nine breaches of bail and two counts of obstructing police.

The court heard the boy had previously been sentenced for the unlawful use to the restorative justice process, but the matter had since been brought back for re-sentence.

Defence lawyer Kelsea Read said through “no fault” of her client, the family of the victim involved in the unlawful use – Ms White – had “some unrealistic expectations” about the restorative justice process.

Vyleen White was allegedly stabbed to death at a suburban shopping centre last February. Picture: Supplied/Facebook (via NCA NewsWire)

Police prosecutor Bronwyn Sharp requested the matter be adjourned for a presentence report, saying the unlawful use charge was “particularly serious” and that the prosecution may be seeking a sentence of detention.

She also noted the boy had an outstanding robbery charge – which the court had previously heard involved him allegedly robbing a 14-year-old at knifepoint at a shopping centre.

Ms Read submitted that a sentence of detention was not in range, as her client had no criminal history, and said the sentence should proceed.

But Magistrate Jason Schubert expressed concern at continuing the sentence on Tuesday – and potentially releasing the boy from custody – when he was unsure if the boy’s bail for the robbery was supposed to have been revoked.

The boy, who was supported by his father in court, appeared over video with a tired expression – occasionally yawning and rubbing his eyes as he waited for Mr Schubert to decide whether his sentence would continue.

Mr Schubert ultimately decided to adjourn the sentencing to Wednesday, January 22, to allow the parties time to review the issue.

The boy was remanded in custody to appear via video on Wednesday.

His father gave no comment to the media as he left the court precinct.