Fourth 15-year-old boy accused of machete-laden carjackings granted bail

A sobbing mother has thanked a magistrate as her son – accused of a string of machete-laden carjackings – was released from custody alongside his three co-accused teens.

The fourth boy accused of a string of machete-laden carjackings has been freed from prison.

An “extraordinary distressed’ mother burst into tears after hearing her son — accused of a string of terrifying carjackings last weekend – would be released from custody.

The last of the 15-year-old boys accused of a string of terrifying carjackings in Melbourne’s northwest successfully applied for bail in the Children’s Court on Friday.

The boy, who appeared in court in the dock flanked by custody officers, was supported in court by his mother and sister.

When it was announced he would be granted bail, his “extraordinarily distressed” mother broke down in tears, thanking Magistrate Julie O’Donnell.

“Thank you, thank you very much,” she told Her Honour.

Ms O’Donnell, who has been shocked by the alleged offending of four boys who all attend school, have supportive families and have never been cautioned by police, again reiterated her surprise.

“It’s inexplicable to me,” she said.

The four boys allegedly went up to drivers in Melbourne’s northwest with machetes before fleeing in their vehicles.

“I’m quite sure your mother is extraordinarily distressed … Every single family that has come in here has been in tears.

“Make sure your mum doesn’t go through this again.”

Ms O’Donnell also warned the boy about the gravity of his alleged crimes, saying “If you looked at the ladder, you’re at the top in terms of how serious this offending is”.

The court heard his mother drives him to and from his part-time job.

The boy was granted bail under the same conditions as his co-accused, who were released from custody earlier in the week.

He will not be able to access a mobile phone or social media and will be under a curfew from 9pm to 6am, unless supervised by a parent or a youth justice worker.

The boy’s mother thanked Magistrate Julie O’Donnell upon her son’s release from custody.

Ms O’Donnell warned the 15-year-old that if he breached his bail conditions, “police will arrest you”.

Similarly to his co-accused, the boy had initially been refused bail on the weekend due to being an unacceptable risk in the community, but following a more thorough report, was found suitable for bail.

He will return to court on May 30.