Two more 15-year-old boys granted bail over alleged aggravated carjackings

The four boys accused of a string of terrifying carjackings in Melbourne’s northwest were “excellent” students who had never before been in trouble with police, a court has heard.

Two more teenage boys have been bailed following a string of alleged aggravated carjackings in Melbourne’s northwest last weekend.

Two more of the group of 15-year-old boys accused of a string of horrifying carjackings across Melbourne’s northwest last weekend have been released back onto the streets.

The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, successfully applied for bail in a Children’s Court on Thursday following their arrests on Saturday.

The duo were both charged with aggravated carjacking, destroying a mobile phone and using a machete, while one of them was also charged with driving unlicensed.

Both boys had initially been refused bail on the weekend following their arrest but had been found suitable for bail following a more thorough report by youth justice workers.

The court heard the same youngster came from an “excellent family” who were “shocked and surprised” by his arrest and allegedly horrific crimes.

He played a musical instrument, attended online school and was until recently involved in sports.

He was granted a special exemption to go on a holiday from June 5 to June 10 with his family.

The other 15-year-old had an “excellent” attendance at school and came from a supportive family, the court heard.

Four 15-year-olds have been accused of a string of terrifying carjackings in Melbourne’s northwest.

He was supported in court by his mother who drives him to and from school every day.

Magistrate Julie O’Donnell told the court “it is rare we find young people in such serious trouble when they have such supportive families” and said the decision on whether to grant bail or not for them had given her “sleepless nights” due to the stark contrast between their allegedly terrible offending with their normal home lives.

“It’s very concerning for the court,” she said.

“These are four young people who seem to be actively engaged in school, and that have never so much as been cautioned (by police).

“It is an extraordinary situation that four fifteen year olds have armed themselves with machetes, allegedly, without any build up.

“As I said yesterday, it is zero to one hundred.”

Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said she had “many sleepless nights” due to the difference between the boys’ offending and their normal home lives.

The court heard that three of the boys attend the same school.

Ms O’Donnell reminded the two boys that if they had been 16, due to the serious nature of their alleged crimes, they would eventually be heard before a judge and jury.

Like their co-accused who was released on bail on Wednesday, both boys will not be able to access a mobile phone or social media as part of their strict bail conditions.

They must also be at home between 9pm and 6am each night unless they are accompanied by a family member or a youth justice worker.

They will both return to court on May 29.

The last of the co-accused is due to face a Children’s Court on Friday.