Boy, 13, admits role in violent Toowoomba home invasion

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has admitted to his role in a violent home invasion in Toowoomba during which four teens threatened two men and stole their cars.

Generic pic: Each of the four teens was armed and wore face coverings.

A THIRTEEN-year-old boy was one of a group of four armed teenagers which broke into the Toowoomba home of two young men who were threatened before having their cars stolen.

The four were armed with two machetes, a baseball bat and a knife and all had face coverings when they broke into the home in the early hours of April 17.

One of the home occupants was awake and saw three figures moving about in the dark, one of whom yelled "Give me your f***ing keys", Crown prosecutor Shontel Petrie told Toowoomba District Court.

The victim then heard a window breaking through which a fourth teen entered.

The other home occupant came out to be confronted and the four offenders had left with keys to both men's cars and one victim's wallet which had $130 cash and a $400 cheque, Ms Petrie said.

One of the vehicles was found about two hours later abandoned on the Warrego Highway where a truck driver had seen a boy smashing the car's windows with a bat.

Three of the four were arrested as they walked away from the scene.

The other vehicle was found the next day in Redbank Plains, Ms Petrie said.

The teen, who turned 14 last month, pleaded guilty to burglary in company, armed robbery in company, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and wilful damage.

His barrister Scott Lynch said his client had not been in trouble before and was a "follower" on this occasion with his co-offenders being the principal offenders.

As a result of the allegations, his client had been suspended from his school which might not take him back.

His parents were in court and his mother told the court her son was "very bright".

Mr Lynch said a Restorative Justice Order (RJO) in which his client would meet with the victims might give him some insight into the offending.

Noting he had good family support, Judge Tony Rafter SC placed the teen on 12 months probation and made a Restorative Justice Order with no conviction recorded.

Two of the other accused are due to appear in the same court next week.

Originally published as Boy, 13, admits role in violent Toowoomba home invasion