Melbourne teen accused of Grand Final day incident has bail relaxed
THE teen accused of attempting to murder pedestrians on AFL Grand Final day near Flinders St has had his bail conditions relaxed so he can watch cat videos online.
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A MELBOURNE teen accused of trying to kill pedestrians in an AFL Grand Final day car rampage has had his bail relaxed to allow him to watch online cat videos and play computer games.
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The 15-year-old boy will also be given an iPad to watch the videos and be allowed to go on school excursions in the city.
The move comes after an earlier hearing heard the boy should have restricted access to the internet because his search history showed he’d looked online at military bases, iconic city landmarks and high-grade weapons.
He was also forbidden from visiting the city unless attending court.
Applying to vary his bail in a Children’s Court on Wednesday, the boy’s lawyer said he’d been on his best behaviour since he was freed on January 2.
She said an iPad with parental control filters on it would help the boy in his education.
“He actually likes to watch cat videos, your honour,” his lawyer added.
The prosecution did not oppose the changes to bail.
Asked by Judge Amanda Chambers if he had any questions about his new rules, the boy said: “No, I’m fine.”
The teen is charged with two counts of attempted murder, six counts of reckless conduct endangering life and two counts of assaulting an emergency service member.
Police allege he stole a car and, dressed in combat-style clothes and armed with a knife and a baton, he drove erratically outside Flinders Street train station, swerving onto the footpath in an attempt to hit people.
The terror unfolded shortly before 8am on September 30.
Dramatic CCTV footage, played in court earlier this month, showed the car in several near misses with pedestrians, trams and other vehicles.
The boy was eventually tasered by police and arrested at the Swanston and Flinders St junction.
Asked by Ms Chambers how the case was progressing, the prosecution said it was “too early” to say if it would be resolved.
“We have had an offer from the defence,” he said. “Our obligations are to confer with the victims.
“We are hopeful.”
Other bail conditions including that he does not leave the house without his father or sister, and continues to engage with youth justice and disability support services, remain.
To eliminate risks, a safe has also been provided to the boy’s family to keep their car keys locked away from him. The family must also ensure their cars are locked in a garage.
He will return to court on March 1.