16-year-old boy appears in Townsville Childrens Court after helping to smash in seven storefronts

A 16-year-old boy who helped smash in seven shop fronts as the community battled devastating flooding has been told to stop using the death of his mother as an excuse for his actions.

One of the 11 brazen thieves who smashed in shop fronts as the community suffered from devastating floods, has been harshly reprimanded by his grandmother in court.

A 16-year-old boy appeared in Townsville Children’s Court on Thursday after he helped ransack seven stores at Domain Central.

Police prosecutor Emily Olditch told the court the teen had stolen a blue RAV4 in the early hours of February 7 this year, which travelled in a convoy of stolen vehicles to the Garbutt shopping complex.

“The group smashed their way into Baby Bunting by the glass sliding doors and ransacked the front counter, stealing register tills and $500 in cash,” she said.

The rampage continued at Ashley Furniture Homestore, where the group stole a small safe, and at Pillow Talk, where another $500 was taken.

Seven shopfronts were found smashed up at Domain Central in Townsville on Friday morning. Picture: Natasha Emeck

They also broke into Plush Sofas, Forty Winks, TK Maxx, and Curtain Wonderland, although they fled those stores empty-handed.

The crime spree escalated further when the group stole fuel, attempted to break into the Oonoonba Hotel, and later burglarised the home of an 81-year-old woman, stealing her wallet containing $800.

Ms Olditch noted that the boy is a serious repeat offender, with an 11-page criminal record.

Defence lawyer Madonna Hayes, representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS), said the boy suffers from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and ADHD, which contribute to his behavioural issues.

Seven shopfronts were found smashed up at Domain Central in Townsville on Friday morning. Picture: Natasha Emeck

She also highlighted the emotional trauma caused by the loss of his mother in 2019.

Ms Hayes said the teen had spent 122 days in pre-sentence custody in conditions “akin to an adult being held in solitary confinement” due to staff shortages at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre.

A total of 21 days were spent locked in his room for the entire 24 hours and another 13 days where he didn’t spend more than 16 minutes outside his cell.

After the defence concluded, the boy’s grandmother — his legal guardian — addressed the court via phone and chastised her grandson’s behaviour.

“They use their mother as an excuse, their mother passed away almost six years ago, there’s no need to keep using her name,” she said.

“(He’s) gotta take responsibility for what he does, he’s gotta learn from his mistakes and he knows that.”

Seven shopfronts were found smashed up at Domain Central in Townsville on Friday morning. Picture: Natasha Emeck

“They made their choice, they made their choice by stealing.

“I feel for the people they did it to, I feel it all the time.”

Magistrate Richard Lehmann adjourned the case until June 11, stating he needed more time to consider the matter.

“I’m not going to rush to impose a sentence today … it is a significant matter that needs to be considered,” he said.

The 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing, committing an indictable offence by break, attempted to enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Magistrate Lehmann will sentence the teen on June 11.

Originally published as 16-year-old boy appears in Townsville Childrens Court after helping to smash in seven storefronts