Juvenile, 16, admits driving stolen car on wrong side of road through red lights and stop signs in Mareeba

A 16-year-old boy who was declared a ‘serious repeat offender’ last year has driven a stolen car dangerously in Byrne Street, Mareeba, less than two weeks after being released from detention, a court has heard.

Two 16 year old boys charged in Mareeba over separate incidents of driving stolen cars have appeared in court.

A teenager who was declared a ‘serious repeat offender’ last year has admitted to taking a car and driving it dangerously down the wrong side of a road and through red lights and stop signs in Mareeba less than two weeks after being released from custody.

The 16-year-old Mareeba boy pleaded guilty by video link in Cairns Children’s Court yesterday to unlawful use of a motor vehicle at night on December 25 and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle in Byrne Street, unlicensed driving, and stealing fuel in a ‘drive-off’ on December 26 in Mareeba.

His sentence was adjourned to the Children’s Court on February 3.

Police Prosecutor Rosalie Veltjens opposed the boy’s bail application, saying he had been sentenced to detention for similar offences in the past and was declared a ‘serious repeat offender’ in August last year.

“In this latest incident, he’s failed to stop at multiple red lights, and stop signs and driven the wrong way down the street.” said Ms Veltjens.

“He has also been captured on CCTV scoping out houses.”

Defence solicitor James Ellis-Smith said the boy had the support of his family, as well as the local health services, National Disability Insurance Scheme support workers and Murri Watch, and had a 100 per cent compliance rate for previous youth justice engagements.

He said the boy would abide by curfew conditions and not contact co-offenders.

Acting Magistrate Jon Ide said there was an unacceptable risk the boy could ‘endanger the safety and welfare of the community’ if given bail.

He refused bail and remanded him in detention for sentencing in February.

In a separate case, another 16-year-old boy appeared via video link, charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle over a stolen vehicle traffic crash in which he was a passenger.

The court was told police were making further inquiries into the crash, in which it is alleged four children fled the scene, including one who shared footage from inside the car on Instagram.

This boy’s matters were adjourned for mention in Mossman Children’s Court on 29 January.

Originally published as Juvenile, 16, admits driving stolen car on wrong side of road through red lights and stop signs in Mareeba