Court hears teen’s Roma grievous bodily harm charge could change

A teen who has already entered pleas of guilty to allegedly stealing a caravan while a man slept peacefully inside, might have one of his charges downgraded, the Childrens Court in Rockhampton has heard.

Roma Police have charged a 14-year-old boy and an 18-year-old male with unlawful use of a vehicle after a caravan with a man inside was allegedly towed away.

A teenage boy who has already entered pleas of guilty over an incident where he and an 18-year-old allegedly stole a caravan while a man slept inside might have one of his charges downgraded, the Childrens Court in Rockhampton has heard.

The 14-year-old boy was charged earlier this year with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, and one count each of attempted unlawful use of motor vehicle and drive without due care and attention causing grievous bodily harm.

Police will allege the boy and his co-accused stole a Mitsubishi utility from an address on Northern Road, Roma about 10pm on April 10 and then about an hour later, they stole a Toyota utility from another address on Northern Road.

A caravan with a sleeping man was hitched to this ute and the man jumped from the moving caravan, sustaining injuries to his shoulder and arm.

The vehicle crashed into a power pole nearby and the alleged offenders fled the scene and the victim was transported to hospital.

Police recovered both vehicles and later located both alleged offenders.

Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds told the Childrens Court on Tuesday, August 10, the medical material was received on Monday and a submission was then sent to police prosecution on the basis the medical report did not meet the criteria for grievous bodily harm.

The court heard the prosecution wanted to get an update from the doctor and confirm with the victim the nature of the injuries sustained in the incident.

The boy’s matters have been adjourned to September 24 for mention and he remains on bail.

He had also pleaded guilty to the four charges committed on April 10, 2024 on April 24, 2024.

Originally published as Court hears teen’s Roma grievous bodily harm charge could change