Teen driver accused of killing William Taylor not attending elite school

A magistrate has told a private schoolboy bailed twice after allegedly killing Ashburton man William Taylor in a horror hit-run he is doing “everything right” despite the teen not attending his elite school.

A private schoolboy bailed twice after allegedly killing Ashburton man William Taylor in a horror hit-run has not been attending his elite school, despite previously complaining that being given a curfew during his VCE studies was “harsh”.

The 17-year-old, who is enrolled in a Melbourne Catholic boys’ school, strolled into the Children’s Court on Friday to face a magistrate after he was granted bail late last month.

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen Jeep Cherokee which was travelling at 120km/h when it hit Mr Taylor’s Toyota Corolla as he turned on to Highbury Rd in Burwood on July 2.

The Jeep then crashed into a tree before the six occupants fled on foot, as Mr Taylor, 28, who was driving to soccer training, lay dying at the scene.

On Friday, the magistrate told the 17-year-old, sitting in the front row of the courtroom flanked by his parents, that she was “concerned” about his “schooling situation”.

A Youth Justice worker told the court there had been a “lack of attendance” by the boy.

“We’ve discussed looking at alternative employment or education options,” she said.

“I don’t think (he) will be going back to (the school).”

Mr Taylor’s devastated family described him as a quiet, intelligent and thoughtful young man who loved his sport. Picture: Victoria Police

The Youth Justice worker said the boy, who would like to work in construction or mechanics, will speak to his parents before making a decision about whether he enters a pre-apprenticeship or TAFE, attends a mainstream school or gets a job.

“We do need to have schooling or a TAFE program or something in place for bail to be sustainable,” the magistrate replied.

“We all know how important … education is and I understand (he) is a pretty cluey and intelligent kid but we don’t want to be letting this situation go for too long.”

Despite the lack of attendance, the magistrate told the boy – who was bailed last month with strict conditions – that he was “doing everything right”.

“I want you to keep doing the things you’re doing,” she said, adding that she was “pleased” by the bail progress report prepared by Youth Justice. 

But the magistrate said he needed to seriously consider his next steps.

“It does give me a little bit of unease because when you don’t have something and you’re just at home and you’ve got all these restrictions on you, it makes it difficult,” she said.

Tributes at the Burwood intersection where Mr Taylor was killed. Picture: Mark Stewart.

The boy was first granted bail on July 5, but he went on the run less than 48 hours later, disappearing from his home on July 7.

He went missing for the next 52 hours and failed to attend a Youth Justice appointment before he was taken into custody on July 9, with his bail revoked the following day.

Weeks later, the Herald Sun revealed that a magistrate granted the boy bail for a second time on July 29, saying while it was “incredibly problematic” that he breached his bail so quickly, she did not think he posed an unacceptable risk of doing it again.

“You come before court with a demonstrated shocking history in relation to bail,” she said.

“You need to understand this is your last chance.”

Prosecutors opposed the boy’s release, saying he had been explicitly told about his bail obligations but breached them anyway.

But Youth Justice assessed the boy and found him suitable for a bail program, noting he would be attending school on a full-time basis if released.

The teenager was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car which was travelling at 120km/h when it struck William Taylor’s Toyota Corolla. Picture: Nine News

The magistrate granted bail with similar conditions to his first release, including that he reside with his mother, abide by a curfew, attend Youth Justice appointments, not associate with any co-accused and participate in judicial monitoring.

The court previously heard that the boy believed the curfew was too “harsh” because it required him to stay at home from 7pm to 6am while he was completing his VCE studies.

Two days after the crash, it emerged that he had previously been on bail with restrictions including a curfew, but his bail was lifted in March.

The boy has been charged with culpable and dangerous driving causing death, unlicensed driving, theft of a motor vehicle and failing to stop and render assistance.

The court previously heard that he is alleged to be the driver of the Jeep because phone data placed him near the scene and his white sneakers matched with CCTV footage of a youth exiting the driver’s side door.

But his defence lawyer said the prosecution case was not particularly strong and questions remained about the identity of the driver.

He will return to court on August 23 for further judicial monitoring.