Teen accused of violent carjacking went missing after release on bail, court told

A teenager accused of an aggravated carjacking in which an innocent driver was threatened with a machete failed to front court after he was released on bail, a court has heard — as he seeks bail again.

A teen facing dozens of charges, including armed robbery, false imprisonment, assault and intentionally causing injury, has appeared in the Supreme Court. Picture: David Crosling

A teenager accused of a violent carjacking with a machete went missing and failed to appear at court after he was bailed, a court has heard.

The boy, who cannot be identified because he was 17 at the time, appeared in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, seeking to be bailed again as he faces dozens of charges including armed robbery, false imprisonment, assault and intentionally causing injury.

The court heard the most serious allegation was an aggravated carjacking in Bacchus Marsh where an innocent driver was threatened with a machete by a gang of youths, one aged just 13, in September.

Dashcam footage of the shocking incident was played to the court, showing the alleged offenders demanding the keys while a youth brandishes the blade.

The court heard the boy was granted supervised bail to live with his extended family after that incident but went missing within weeks.

An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear at court in November, with the teen also missing Youth Justice appointments.

Opposing the youth’s release, a detective told the court the teen had been in several fights in custody and police were concerned he would continue to associate with gang members.

He said the teen was also arrested but released without charge over the death of Chadwer “Chaddy” Leah who drowned in the Yarra River after he was chased through the CBD by two teenagers with a machete in October.

He said bail conditions, such as a non-association order, did not alleviate his concerns and police did not have the resources to place him under surveillance.

“I believe he’s an unacceptable risk,” he said.

A Youth Justice case worker also gave evidence, saying the teen had been assessed and found unsuitable for supervised or intensive bail.

While discussing how he could get to appointments if released, she said the boy revealed to her he carried weapons on public transport to protect himself.

“He said he may run into people he doesn’t get along with,” she said.

She said the boy had also been involved in several incidents while in custody, including a planned fight with another inmate as recently as two days ago which went “too far”.

“It does pose a concern to Youth Justice,” she said.

“It was so close to his bail application and we wonder what that would look like in the community.”

The boy’s uncle gave evidence in support of the bail application, describing his nephew as a “good kid” but revealing he was unaware what he was up to when he was not home.

Justice James Gorton said he had “real concerns” about granting bail, with the hearing adjourned to next week so the teen could undergo further assessments by Youth Justice.