Teen arrested for horrifying machete attack on elderly Darwin man was bailed three times, facing 50 charges

Elderly Darwin man Trevor Miller was found in a pool of his own blood after two young boys allegedly hacked at him with a machete. One had been bailed three times in as many months.

A file picture of Trevor Miller, who remains in hospital. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

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An elderly Darwin man was found lying in a pool of his own blood after two young boys – one with a long list of criminal charges – had allegedly hacked at him with a machete after breaking into his home, before stealing his car.

Community volunteer Trevor Miller, 71, is still in intensive care under heavy sedation and remains intubated after he was found by his neighbour following a violent home invasion in which the 13 and 14-year-olds allegedly broke into his Woodroffe home last week, leaving him with critical injuries.

The Australian can reveal that one of the teenagers was on bail – for the third time since mid-December – and has more than 50 active charges before the Northern Territory courts.

The 14-year-old is currently before the courts on charges including, but not limited to, multiple counts of trespass, aggravated burglary, assault, aggravated assault, contravening domestic violence orders, shoplifting and theft.

The two youths were last week each charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary of a dwelling, intend serious harm, cause any harm, and driving/using riding a motor vehicle without consent. The 14-year-old was also charged with breach of bail.

The revelations prompted the NT Labor opposition to claim the Country Liberal Party’s bail laws were “failing” and that Territorians were paying the price “for a government that’s ripping funding out of youth diversion programs and only reacting after a crime has been committed”.

“This appalling act of violence against an elderly man in his Palmerston home was allegedly committed by a young person on bail,” said Deputy Opposition Leader Dheran Young.

“The Chief Minister needs to explain how this occurred under her watch.”

Acting Chief Minister Gerard Maley said the CLP wanted to see “greater parental responsibility and stronger community leadership to address youth crime”.

“Our CLP government will always prioritise the rights of victims, particularly the elderly and most vulnerable in our community, above the rights of offenders,” Mr Maley said. “But stronger laws alone are not enough.”

He said his government had been looking at legislative reform and “early intervention” initiatives.

Sources say Mr Miller’s home had been broken into in the days prior to the violent attack, during which security cameras and other items from the home were stolen.

According to court records, the 14-year-old charged – now remanded in custody – was last released on bail on March 12 by NT judge Thomasin Opie, the managing judge in the Youth Justice Court.

Chief Justice Michael Grant with Local Court Judge Julie Franz.

NT Local Court Judge Thomasin Opie.

He had been in custody since March 6 after he was charged with 18 offences for one incident which included breach of bail, driving using riding motor vehicle without consent, five counts of damage to property, three counts of aggravated burglary of a building, six counts of damage to property, three counts of attempted aggravated burglary of a building, three counts of theft and one count of trespass, remaining without authority.

He was also bailed by judge Julie Franz on January 8 after his previous bail, which had been granted on December 16, was withdrawn.

He was facing charges of aggravated robbery, theft, assault with intent to steal, damage to property, shoplifting, aggravated burglary of a building, damage to property, and theft charges.

The second child, aged 13, was charged over a separate incident but it is understood he does not have any significant prior criminal history.

Sources say the pair were found “bloodied” at the home of the 14-year-old, with various personal items belonging to Mr Miller allegedly in his possession.

Police say a neighbour discovered Mr Miller on the ground with serious injuries after his home had been broken into and his car stolen.

Sources say police later found multiple weapons at a separate location.

CLP MLA Matthew Kerle, who visited Mr Miller in hospital last week, said on social media that he was “in good spirits”.

“He’s in good spirits for someone who suffered such an attack, but it did knock him around a fair bit, he has cuts on his arms and legs that go right down to the bone,” Mr Kerle wrote.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Alicia Harvey said the actions of those responsible were “despicable”.

“I would like to commend the swift actions of all those involved in these arrests,” Sergeant Harvey said.

“We will continue to ensure those who engage in criminal behaviour are held accountable and are brought before the courts.”