Twin brothers to spend Christmas in jail after alleged crime spree in Brisbane, Gold Coast

A magistrate has verbally lashed twin brothers accused of a terrifying crime spree after looking into their long criminal histories in the southeast.

Twin brothers accused of a terrifying crime spree in Brisbane and the Gold Coast involving stolen cars, breaking into homes, and stealing Christmas gifts, will spend the festive season and new year behind bars after being verbally lashed by a magistrate.

The 14-year-olds have racked up 15-page and 27-page criminal histories respectively, with the acting magistrate commenting they have not been deterred by any court-imposed orders and “not even the most recent [stronger youth crime] laws”.

The boys appeared in Brisbane Children’s Court on Monday via video from the watch-house.

The first youth was charged with seven offences, all allegedly committed on Sunday. They included attempted entering dwelling with intent at night while armed in company, as well as unlawful use of a vehicle, stealing, entering premises with intent, and drug possession.

Duty lawyer Clare Giarolam, representing the teenager, applied for bail.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Hughes objected. The court heard his 15 pages of history included 25 breach of bail charges.

At one point, the accused – visibly upset by his situation – spoke and said he believed the start of the extended school holidays were partially to blame for his alleged offending.

Sergeant Hughes said the allegations against the boy – not old enough to learn to drive – included him driving a stolen car, as well as being part of a group who “stole Christmas presents from an address in Bulimba”.

“[One of the] co-offenders is armed with a machete, so he’s putting himself in a position where they are trying to break into houses and the co-offender is armed with a 60-centimetre machete,” the police prosecutor told the court.

On behalf of the juvenile, Ms Giarolam said his risk to the community could be mitigated by a residential 24-hour curfew, adding that he “hasn’t committed an offence since August”.

“Oh wow. It is 15 pages of history at 14 years old and the court is supposed to be impressed that he hasn’t committed any offences in four months?” Acting Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope questioned.

Ms Giarolam disclosed that the twins were under long-term guardianship orders with the Department of Child Safety and had only met their biological mother within the past year.

She added that both boys were refusing placements in Department of Child Safety accommodation, instead residing with their biological mother.

The acting magistrate refused the first boy’s bail application, concluding that no conditions could mitigate the risk to the community.

Queensland youth crime

“His criminal history for a young fellow, who I might add looks about 12 when he’s actually 14, is 15 pages long and he has been dealt with by the court for numerous other similar offences,” Ms Kirkman-Scroope said.

“This is a young fellow who is a very experienced criminal at a very young age, and nothing so far has deterred him, not even the most recent Keeping Queensland Safe laws.”

His case was adjourned to January 7.

The twin brother also applied for bail on the eight charges against him including attempted enter dwelling with intent at night while armed in company, enter dwelling with intent to commit an indictable offence, breach of bail, unlawful use of a vehicle, and stealing.

These offences were allegedly committed on December 16-22.

The court heard he had 27 pages of history – 25 pages of finalised matters, and two pages of ongoing charges.

It is alleged he committed these new offences while on bail for other serious offences.

Sergeant Hughes said the evidence against the second boy was also strong.

“[He is accused of] robbery of a phone from a child on a tram down at the Gold Coast, where they go up and verbally threaten the person where if they don’t give over the phone they will be assaulted,” the police prosecutor said when describing the allegations.

Ms Giarolam, representing both brothers, suggested a 24-hour curfew and residential conditions could mitigate the risk he posed.

The acting magistrate said the second boy “could fairly be described as running amok and doing what he wants”.

Ms Kirkman-Scroope said the allegations against the second boy included him driving a Volkswagen vehicle at Fig Tree Pocket, which he allegedly stole.

“He is acting in concert with other juvenile offenders, namely his twin brother. He has poor bail compliance history, in my view the evidence against him is strong and there is CCTV footage in relation to one of the dwellings they are alleged to have broken into,” she said.

“Committing burglaries, stealing vehicles, travelling in convoy with other juveniles, and some of the stolen vehicles are linked to dangerous driving offences and traffic accidents.”

The second twin was also remanded in custody, for similar reasons to his brother.

“Your Honour, I’m meant to be starting work today,” the accused pleaded.

“You’re not starting work now, you’re staying in custody,” the acting magistrate replied.

His case was also adjourned to January 7.