‘One of the worst things you can do’: Accused home invader has bail revoked

A 16-year-old boy who allegedly broke into a Kew home with a gang of youths, who stood over the owners of the house as they slept, has had his new hopes of freedom dashed after a string of “extraordinarily serious” allegations.

A magistrate has revoked bail for a teenager alleged home invader, telling him, “breaking into people’s homes is the one of the worst things you can do”.

The 16-year-old boy fronted a children’s court on Thursday hoping to be set free again after he allegedly was one of four balaclava-clad youth who broke into a Kew home on February 24 while on bail.

But magistrate Gail Hubble rejected his bail application, and instead revoked his previous bail, which he had been given on January 21 over what she described as “extraordinarily serious” allegations.

Ms Hubble said the youth was “lucky to get bail” for the earlier alleged offending, which included three armed robberies, five robberies, two attempted burglaries and dangerous driving while being pursued by police.

Police at the Kew property after the home invasion. Picture: 7 News

“I can’t give you bail today because the charges are too serious,” she told the teen.

“Home invasions are enormously serious. Breaking into people’s homes is one of the worst things you can do – and the police have a very strong case against you.”

She said the home invasion was a “blatant breach” of his bail conditions, which included a curfew and not to commit further offences.

“There is an unacceptable risk that (he) will commit offences that will endanger the safety of the public if he is bailed,” Ms Hubble said.

Her ruling comes a day after the Allan government announced an overhaul of the state’s bail system, following the Herald Sun’s Suburbs Under Siege campaign, which highlighted bail failures amid a youth crime crisis.

Police arrest make several arrests in Kew. Picture: 7 News

The Kew couple who woke to two of the teens wearing balaclavas standing over them at 4am earlier told the Herald Sun: “Every time I close my eyes now, I see this.”

The court heard the teens made demands for the keys for the two Porsches parked in their Sackville St driveway.

One of the co-accused is alleged to have been involved in an altercation with the male victim, telling him: “I’ve never killed anyone, but I can start”.

The Kew couple says they see two of the teens standing over them each time they close their eyes. Picture: Mark Stewart

The victim was able to alert police, who arrived while the youth were still inside the house.

They ran out the back door and jumped the fence, with the police’s canine unit tracking them to a backyard some 400m away where they were hiding under a bush.

Police allege the 16-year-old had $580 cash on him that had been stolen from the Kew home.

Officers also seized stolen car keys and watches from the other accused, the court heard.

Two of the teens were charged and released on bail, while the 16-year-old and the fourth co-accused, were remanded.

The court heard the 16-year-old had been involved in a two-month crime spree where knives, sledgehammers and axes were used in armed robberies of milk bars and stores across Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs to steal cigarettes and cash between November and January.

He is also accused of stealing multiple cars, and dealing in stolen property, namely registration plates.

He will return to court next month.