Toowoomba boy, 15, committed 36 crimes while police tried to revoke his bail
A repeat youth offender allegedly committed 36 crimes in an eight-day period in which Queensland Police were fighting in court to have his bail revoked. WATCH THE VIDEO
Police & Courts
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A dangerous youth whose bail Queensland Police attempted to have revoked allegedly reoffended 36 times during the eight-day hearing period.
While the application was being heard in court last month, it has been revealed that 15-year-old Jason – a pseudonym the courts gave him – was on the streets allegedly committing dozens of crimes including break and enters, and armed robbery.
The judge denied the application on June 7, citing “detention must only be a last resort”.
A QPS spokeswoman said the 15-year-old Kearneys Spring boy was arrested in Toowoomba on July 2, in relation to 36 alleged offences.
He has not spent any time in youth detention despite court documents citing seven good behaviour bonds, a four month detention order in a single year, and he has been convicted on 12 separate occasions.
It is alleged 34 of the offences were committed between June 22 and June 30 in the South West, Darling Downs and Brisbane South areas, and two offences were committed in April in the South West.
Jason has been accused of 18 break and enters, nine breaches of bail, three armed robbery offences, three attempted robbery offences, three unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two wilful damage offences and once for stealing.
Police refused bail and he is expected to appear before Toowoomba Children’s Court on July 11.
It comes after Opposition leader David Crisafulli’s pre-election pitch to slap young criminals committing serious crimes with adult sentences.
Mr Crisafulli declared the “generation of untouchables must end”.
The policy has found support from some community leaders including Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers and Northern Territory senator Jacinta Price.
University of Southern Queensland Criminologist Dr Suzanne Reich however, slammed the policy as unjust and a waste of money that would only lead to more crime.