Teen expresses ‘regret, shame, embarrassment’ over vandal attack on Jewish MP Josh Burns’ office

A 17-year-old boy who allegedly set off small fires and caused $55,000 in damage to Josh Burns’ electorate office in Melbourne will undergo a diversion assessment.

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A 17-year-old boy who allegedly set off small fires and caused $55,000 in damage to Jewish MP Josh Burns’ electorate office in Melbourne will undergo a diversion assessment, with the young offender expressing “regret, shame and embarrassment” over the charges against him, a court has heard.

The teen, who The Australian cannot name for legal reasons, faced the Children’s Court on Wednesday over allegedly trespassing into the Labor MP’s office with intent to cause damage in a vandalism attack on July 19. Police also charged the boy and an 18-year-old woman over the July 17 attack on the Honorary Consulate General of France.

His lawyer told the court the boy had no prior criminal history and that a number of his friends and family had submitted references for him with “the full knowledge of the charges”.

“They speak to his good character, he’s a responsible, intelligent young person,” she said. “The circumstances were a shock to family … it caused a lot of strain. He expressed to his parents and others genuine regret, shame and embarrassment of these charges.”

In the attack on the federal MP’s St Kilda office, the shopfront was spray painted with slogans including “Zionism is fascism”.

Small fires then occurred at telecommunication pits at the front of the Barkly St building, Victoria Police said at the time.

The accused’s lawyer said the prospects of rehabilitation for her client were favourable and that he should be considered for a diversion program.

The police prosecutor did not oppose the idea, but sought to emphasise the seriousness of the offending to Magistrate Elizabeth Langdon and requested that the diversion program be carefully co-ordinated. He said the carpet, walls and electric components of the buildings were burned before adding he saw a way “through this without a criminal record”.

“The damage to the outside of the buildings is well known; I take your point about behind the scenes … it’s very disturbing,” Ms Langdon noted.

The court heard that the teen had dropped out of year 12 earlier this year but was looking to enrol in an Auslan course next year.

The 17-year-old sat in the front row of the court behind his lawyer, with his parents in attendance.

At the end of the hearing, Ms Langdon directed the teen to stand up and told him that his ­offending was “very serious”.

“In putting your hand up today to be assessed for a diversion program, that tells me that you’re acknowledging your responsibility in your part in the offending,” she said.

“Victoria Police have made it clear today they’re willing also to extend that opportunity to you to give you really a red hot go at trying to find a way to turn things around such that this sort of behaviour never happens again, and to steer you away from the criminal justice system.”

The windows of federal Labor MP Josh Burns’ office were also smashed. Picture: AFP

She told the boy that he had caused thousands of dollars in damage and also noted the psychological and emotional impact on staff at both premises.

“Protesting is bigger than you … you are a member of the community like the rest of us and there are definitely lawful ways to have a voice without resorting to this,” the magistrate said.

“So the adults in the room are giving you an opportunity to see whether or not you’re suitable for our diversification program.”

The matter was adjourned to November 13.

The accused was seen hugging his mother outside the court after the hearing, before leaving with his father who he resides with.