NewsBite

Cairns Childrens Court: Bail for teen after alleged six-hour midday stolen car rampage

A teenager has been given bail despite a 23-page juvenile history and a new arrest after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage through the streets of Cairns, but he won’t be going home, instead flying straight to a rehab facility in South East Queensland.

A teenager has been given bail after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage through the streets of Cairns.
A teenager has been given bail after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage through the streets of Cairns.

A teenager has been given bail despite a 23-page juvenile history and a new arrest after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage through the streets of Cairns, but he won’t be going home, instead flying straight to a rehab facility in South East Queensland.

The teen, who appeared by video link in the Cairns Watch house, applied for bail after being arrested for allegedly driving a stolen car dangerously around Cairns CBD and surrounding suburbs on May 11.

He is facing eight charges in relation to the alleged spree, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use and unlawful entry.

The boy’s defence lawyer, Katherine Shepherd, made an application for bail which was opposed by police prosecutor Mary Molloy.

Ms Molloy said the teenager was a danger to the community.

“He has endeavoured to endanger the community,” she said.

“The incidents start just after 1pm and the CCTV footage takes us past 5.40pm.

“It’s close to six hours during the middle of the day and some of the time is captured around school during times that parents are picking up children.”

Ms Molloy said the boy was captured on CCTV driving on major roads, including the Bruce Highway, through Mount Sheridan, Reservoir Road, Pease Street and Mulgrave Road.

“He is observed driving the vehicle while another boy sits on the windowsill of the passenger side door while travelling through Parramatta Park,” Ms Molloy said.

“He drives down the wrong side of roads, drives through red lights, completes U-turns into oncoming traffic, causing them to take evasive action.”

Ms Molloy said the boy was a prolific offender and had been sentenced to periods of probation previously.

A teenager was given bail despite a 23-page juvenile history and a new arrest after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage.
A teenager was given bail despite a 23-page juvenile history and a new arrest after an alleged six-hour stolen car rampage.

“We’ve seen lives taken with children killed in cars wrapped around trees,” she said.

“The offending was in broad daylight. There are no conditions if he is released today that would keep the community safe.”

Ms Shepherd acknowledged that it appeared to be a strong case against her client and conceded his history was terrible.

She revealed there had been a plan organised for the boy, if given bail, to be escorted directly to a residential drug and alcohol rehab facility in South East Queensland.

She told Magistrate Gelma Meoli upon his release from custody a support worker from YETI would escort the boy on a flight directly to the 24 hour curfew facility for treatment over a period of three months.

Magistrate Meoli said that upon reading the facts her initial thought was that there was no way the boy was going to be granted bail.

“You put the community, yourself and the passenger at risk,” she said.

“You are very lucky you have been offered a placement at the treatment program.”

Ms Meoli said the boy needed a lot of support if he was to get off the drugs and alcohol he was using when he was committing offences.

“There is much more benefit to the community and yourself to have you sober rather than just continuing on the path you are on.

“I am going to give you that opportunity.”

The boy’s bail was granted with strict conditions involved with compliance with the rehab program.

dylan.nicholson@news.com.au

Originally published as Cairns Childrens Court: Bail for teen after alleged six-hour midday stolen car rampage

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-childrens-court-bail-for-teen-after-alleged-sixhour-midday-stolen-car-rampage/news-story/6988d2ecb88021957f6a26001afaf82e