14yo Townsville boy sentenced for burglary, attempted robbery while armed with fishing knife

A Townsville woman and her husband who were “terrorised” in their home by teenagers armed with knives had to lock themselves in their bedroom to call for help, a court has heard.

Teenage boy sentenced in Townsville court over home invasion.

A Townsville woman and her husband who were “terrorised” in their home by teenagers armed with knives had to lock themselves in their bedroom to call for help, a court has heard.

One of three teenage boys involved in the home invasion was on Thursday sentenced in the Childrens Court of Queensland.

The court was told the boy had just turned 13 before the offence on April 29, 2021 and was now 14.

It was heard that a woman heard a noise in the house and thinking it was her cat, walked into the laundry.

She noticed her house keys were missing from a basket before one of the teen co-offenders jumped out from the darkness with a “big knife” in hand.

The 13-year-old boy then approached her holding a fishing knife, while the third co-offender held a wooden baton.

Townsville teenager was sentenced over a home invasion where he and two co-offenders “terrorised” a couple.

All three were wearing balaclavas.

After demanding her car keys, the woman called to her male partner who came into the room.

The teens “screamed” out demands for the car keys and the man said the pair would look for them in their bedroom.

The teens threatened the pair that if they didn’t hand over their keys and phones they’d be stabbed.

The pair rushed to the bedroom and slammed the door shut behind them and called the police.

Police later found the trio running along Stokes St.

The knives and gloves used in the attempted robbery were found dumped nearby.

He pleaded guilty to four charges including burglary by break with violence while armed, attempted armed robbery in company, enter premises with intent and one count of stealing.

It was heard the boy had spent 29 days on remand which had “not been a pleasant time”.

The boy’s lawyers submitted a nine-month probation order would be an appropriate penalty, taking into account factors including the boy’s “impressive” rehabilitation since the offence.

The court was told that while he had reoffended on bail for the offence, he had successfully completed a conditional bail program, and had started a job.

Judge Gregory Lynham encouraged the boy to keep on the right side of the law, saying the Townsville community were “utterly sick and tired” of the offending.

“I hope for your sake you knuckle down, you keep going to school, take the advantages of earning some money working – as you are now,” Judge Lynham said.

“ … And you stop mixing with other kids who go around committing criminal offences – and that will give you the best chance of the court not seeing you again.”

Originally published as 14yo Townsville boy sentenced for burglary, attempted robbery while armed with fishing knife