Teen offender who taunted police while on bail back behind bars

A teenager who taunted police on social media was on bail for 94 charges when he was allegedly part of a group armed with a machete and a shovel that carjacked a Brisbane man in his own driveway.

A teenager facing 94 charges including 38 break-ins and 28 car thefts was on bail when he embarked on a five-day crime spree that included an alleged violent carjacking with a machete earlier this month.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the 17-year-old’s shocking list of charges after police successfully applied to the court to have his bail revoked to ensure community safety.

Police took the drastic court action on Friday after the boy took to social media to gloat about being granted bail by the Children’s Court on June 7, one day after he was arrested for six more offences allegedly committed between June 2 and 6.

In a decision published this week, Justice Peter Davis described the boy’s offending as “disturbing”, finding there were no bail conditions that could be imposed that would stop him reoffending or prevent him from endangering the community.

The teen, now facing 100 charges, attempted to fight the application to have his bail revoked, swearing in an affidavit: “I am determined to break this cycle and live my best life”.

The boy had previously been granted by the Children’s Court on April 27 on 94 charges including assault, the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected by substances, 38 break ins and 28 car thefts.

Those allegations are on top of a criminal history spanning “many pages”, including for burglary, break and enter, stealing, drug offending, unlawful use of motor vehicles, dishonesty offences and assault.

The accused carjacker taunted police on social media after he was bailed.

“In relation to those dozens of offences, he has been the subject of probation, restorative justice orders, reprimands, community service, detention, and a good behaviour bond,” Justice Davis said.

In the latest spate of alleged offending this month, the teen is accused of breaking into and ransacking a car and home at Redland Bay.

“Had anyone been present at the house at the time, or had arrived home and confronted the intruders, the potential for violence is clear,” Justice Davis said.

Justice Davis said the alleged crimes that followed on June 4 were “even more disturbing” when a Mazda stolen from Sherwood on June 1 was driven to Bulimba home.

There the teen was allegedly part of a group armed with a machete and a shovel that held up a man at the home and stole his luxury car.

“The resident of that address sought to enter his Audi motor vehicle parked in the driveway,” Justice Davis said.

“Two males armed with a shovel and machete confronted and threatened that person who effectively surrendered the vehicle.

“It was then driven off in convoy with the Mazda.”

When he was finally arrested on June 6, the teen was allegedly also found with about five grams of cannabis concealed down his pants.

“The alleged offending on 4 June 2023 is certainly offending of a nature to endanger the public,” Justice Davis said.

“Weapons were brandished, including a machete.”

Carjacking victim Angelo Justus. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Justice Davis accepted submissions that the boy had a “difficult life” and endured periods of homelessness.

“Since 27 April, 2023, I have been lucky enough to live in a house where I have my own bedroom,” the boy said in his affidavit, referring to his first grant of bail.

“My mum and sister had decorated it for my return.”

After his most recent release on bail this month, the teen took to social media to gloat about getting bail, claiming police had no evidence and that a recording of his arrest was “a cute video”.

Victim of the Bulimba car theft Angelo Justus said the boy’s gloating video caused more angst for him than the initial incident.

The boy’s solicitor submitted there were conditions that could be imposed to prevent further offending, including a curfew.

“The evidence that the respondent has undertaken some change since being granted bail on 27 April 2023 is difficult to accept,” Justice Davis said.

“It is well and good to say that the respondent has been engaging in the conditional bail program.

“However the point of the conditional bail program is to contribute to the respondent leading a lawful life.

“He has not been.

“In my view, no conditions can be imposed which would adequately mitigate the unacceptable risk that the respondent will commit offences that will endanger the safety of the community or the safety or welfare of a person and consequently the grant of bail should be set aside.”