Teen bailed after alleged library toilet attack, Rebel Sport robbery
Teenage boys caused a stir at a Children’s Court yesterday delaying hearings after abusing custody officers in the cells. It comes as a magistrate said it seemed youth offending had spiked during schools and sporting clubs closures.
South East
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A young teen who allegedly took part in a brutal attack on an 18-year-old as he went to use the toilet at a public library has been bailed.
And the boy and his friend, who were remanded early Wednesday morning caused a backlog of cases in the Children’s Court after they abused custody officers in the cells.
The court heard the 15-year-old, from southeast Melbourne and a co-accused allegedly cornered the 18-year-old and barricaded the door as he entered the library toilets in March.
And the court was told when he handed over an empty wallet but refused to hand over his phone, the group allegedly counted down from five before punching him in the face as terrified members of the public attempted to open the door and stop the assault.
Magistrate Jack Vandersteen heard the Year 10 student was also part of a terrifying group attack where a number of youths stormed a Rebel Sport store and took large amounts of clothing from the racks about 2pm on March 28.
Staff recognised the offenders from previous robberies and told them to leave but were threatened by one who told them he would “bottle” them before the offenders jumped into what police believe was a stolen silver Jeep.
“One (group member) produced a bottle and shook it at a witness … others began damaging displays,” the prosecution said.
Police allege the jeep reached speeds of 60km/h and clipped a Mazda before becoming stuck and the group jumped out and ran off.
The court heard the teenager also allegedly stole his mother’s car as she slept, was allegedly found with 2.5 grams of cannabis in his shorts on April 7 and drove a stolen Audi at speeds of up to 167km/h in Melbourne’s south east on April 13.
He was taken into custody at 1am on Wednesday with two friends after an alleged theft where the offenders matched the trio’s description.
One of the boys told Magistrate Jack Vandersteen he had been acting out in the cells because a female custody officer “disrespected” him.
“(If you’re) talking about respect, you need to stop committing offences,” Mr Vandersteen said.
The other boy, who was watched on by a family member in the courtroom, kept quiet in the cells.
Bail conditions for the 15-year-old, who the court heard was a promising young athlete for his local sporting club, include staying 200 metres away from his local shopping centre and McDonalds and complying with the direction of youth justice officers.
The other two boys were remanded.
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The 15-year-old boy’s charges include breaching curfew and stating false name.
Mr Vandersteen said it appeared youth offending had spiked after schools and sporting clubs closed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“It’s just wasteful,” he said.
“(You don’t want to be involved) with kids who don’t have the same potential (as you).”