Boy with a 15-page rap sheet, who failed to report after family sorry business, denied bail in Cairns Supreme Court

A 14-year-old boy with more than 100 offences on a 15-page criminal history this week applied to be released from detention.

A 14-year-old boy with more than 100 offences on a 15-page criminal history this week applied to be released from detention.

The Cairns Supreme Court heard the boy had reported six times out of his required 18, had not lived at his bail address, and had disappeared when he found out police had visited his mother’s address.

He is facing a number of unknown current charges.

A stolen car is left abandoned in the beach carpark off Sims Esplanade at Yorkeys Knob. The boy facing the Supreme Court this week had 15 unlawful use of motor vehicle offences on his criminal history. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

The court also heard that the boy had started offending at the age of 13 and had quickly amassed a 15-page criminal history, amassing more than 100 offences including 25 for unlawful use of motor vehicles, 30 of entering premises with intent, 58 of entering dwellings with intent or burglary, six trespasses and four counts of robbery while armed in company.

“It is clear he is deeply embedded in a pattern of recidivism,” Justice James Henry observed.

Justice Henry listened carefully to submissions from Crown prosecutor Nathaniel Gillis and the boy’s defence counsel, Stephanie Williams, adjourning the court on Tuesday to hear the completion of submissions and to give his decision on Thursday.

He asked the defence counsel what would be different if the boy were granted bail this time, and Ms Williams told the court that sufficient measures would be put in place to reduce measures of the boy reoffending.

There would be “a tinkering of the curfew, but nonetheless it’s a change,” she said.

Justice Henry said the risk of his reoffending carried community danger with it.

“Where’s the sell here to persuade me that this time it’s different?” he said.

“Those that instructed you have not equipped you with many bullets to fire.”

On Thursday morning Ms Williams presented a further affidavit to the court that she said set out the program and details the boy would be on.

“He has a renewed willingness to go back to school, he’ll be kept busy, and will have the support of youth justice,” she said.

“He was on it last time albeit he was excused for a significant time.”

The boy started offending at 13 and has amassed a 15-page criminal history.

The court was told the boy had been excused to attend traditional sorry business for a family member, but had failed to report after that period was over.

Justice Henry noted the boy had not been engaged in the program “to date”.

“(The defence argues) that risk will be mitigated by additional programs with the conditional bail application,” Crown prosecutor Nathaniel Gillis told the court, “but in response to that your honour, the court in the last couple of years has addressed them in terms of rehabilitation and supervision to the respondent numerous times, and exhausted all options.

“On the face of that there are a number of programs to address and potentially rehabilitate the respondent, and this has not been effective so far and the defendant has come before the court with fresh offences.

“This will not be effective in mediating risks.”

Justice Henry noted the boy had previously failed to comply with curfew, had not lived at his bail address, and had only reported six out of 18 times.

“We don’t put the cue in the rack when we’re dealing with someone who is only 14,” he said, but he said he also needed to weigh up public safety.

“There’s got to be work to be done to salvage something,” he said, “bearing in mind community protection trumps all”.

He denied the bail application and ordered the boy be remanded in custody to next appear on May 15 in Cairns Magistrates Court.

Originally published as Boy with a 15-page rap sheet, who failed to report after family sorry business, denied bail in Cairns Supreme Court