Court awaits holidaying surgeon’s declaration in case of teens charged over Alice baby attack

Two teens charged in relation to a horrific home invasion in Alice Springs are back in custody, with the court waiting on a key report from a neurosurgeon. Find out more.

Alice Springs Local Court. Picture: Gera Kazakov

Two teenagers charged in relation to a horrific home invasion in Alice Springs are back on remand awaiting their next court appearance as the prosecution continues to build its case.

One of the boys, aged 17, is alleged to have fractured two-month-old baby Antonia Siguenza’s skull with a fridge pole during a home invasion at a Bokhara St address in December.

At his latest court mention, Crown prosecutor Dan Payne said the prosecution was awaiting on a “serious harm statutory declaration” from a neurosurgeon in Adelaide.

Bokhara St, Larapinta, Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Picture: Gera Kazakov

“They were on holiday until recently … we’ve requested (the declaration) but as you understand they’re very busy,” he said.

Mr Payne sought a four week adjournment, which was not opposed by the teen’s defence lawyer Sandy Leonard.

Judge David Woodroofe questioned the delay, noting that it had now been three months since the teens were charged.

Mr Payne said the prosecution was in a “situation where the relevant medical professionals are in another state”.

The teen’s co-accused – who was 16 at the time of the alleged attack and recently turned 17 – also had their matters heard.

For their matter, Mr Payne sought an adjournment for the same reason.

Both are charged with theft, aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, and unlawfully causing serious harm.

The now 17-year-old was recently granted compassionate bail to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

He was bailed without the requirement to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device, and while on bail he is alleged to have escaped for less than 24 hours.

His defence lawyer Jenna McHugh asked for an adjournment on the latest file.

Neither teens were present at their latest hearing in Alice Springs Local Court, and both have multiple files before the court – one of which dates back to 2023.

Judge Woodroffe remanded both in custody and adjourned their matters to April 3.

Originally published as Court awaits holidaying surgeon’s declaration in case of teens charged over Alice baby attack