Children’s court magistrate urges parents to take responsibility for their kids as wayward teen bailed

A teen who has racked up 95 charges since 2023 has been bailed again, despite a magistrate warning his mother that her son would kill himself, or someone else if he continued on his “destructive path”.

An unimpressed children’s court magistrate has taken aim at parents, saying they have to take responsibility for their kids’ actions.

Magistrate Shiva Pillai spoke out as he was asked to free an out-of-control youth, despite him racking up 95 charges since 2023 and allegedly returning to a life of crime each time he is cut loose.

The 16-year-old boy’s latest alleged crime spree included two home invasions just two days apart in Tarneit in Melbourne’s western suburbs, where he stole cars and took them on joy rides, reaching speeds of up to 200km/h.

Six other teenagers were allegedly passengers in the cars when he was clocked by police AirWing travelling at fast speeds through red lights and on the wrong side of the road earlier this month.

Two machetes, a fishing knife and a baseball bat were allegedly found inside the vehicles after the group were arrested on February 4.

The wayward teen had only been released by the court on a probation order for similar offending, including aggravated burglary and car theft, on January 24.

The air wing tracked the teen’s alleged crime spree. Picture: Supplied

As the boy returned to court on Wednesday, Mr Pillai warned his mother that her son would kill himself, or someone else if he continued on his “destructive path”.

“If your son continues to drive like that, you will not have your son,” Mr Pillai said.

“There is a high risk he will take the lives of others.”

He was critical of the mother’s ability to keep her son under control after she promised she would supervise him and take him to parks and to play sport on weekends if granted bail.

“At 11.08pm, her child is out there with six other people … how have I got confidence there is a system in place at the moment – that his parents have supports in place to ensure (he) doesn’t go out there and kill himself or others?,” Mr Pillai said.

“Everyone is responsible for this, including the court, and police who are desperately trying to make sure the public are safe.

“There’s also an obligation on the parents as well. They have to take some responsibility.”

Vehemently opposing bail, the prosecution argued the teen continues to thumb his nose at the law and would put public lives at risk if released.

“(The boy) has been given more than enough chances to change his ways and do the right thing, he, however, decides to offend,” the prosecutor said.

“He has learnt that his actions have no consequences.

“It’s clear that this is becoming a game to him.”

The boy has allegedly racked up 95 charges since 2023. Picture: David Geraghty

The boy’s lawyer argued he had now learnt his lesson and was open to taking part in programs to help youth offenders and their families.

She said his school was also willing to welcome him back on Monday if given bail.

Ultimately, Mr Pillai decided to give the boy one more chance, telling him he had 10 days to prove he could follow his bail conditions, including attending school, abiding by a 9pm-7am curfew and staying out of trouble, or he would be locked up again.

“I am not impressed where this has gone,” Mr Pillai said, addressing the boy as he sat in the dock. “You are on the path of destruction. You are on the path of killing yourself or killing someone else.”

The teen must return before the magistrate on February 28 for review.