Teenager sentenced for causing $60k damage to Sunshine Coast Grammar School

A Sunshine Coast boy was in the midst of a mammoth bender when he and allegedly another teenager vandalised a prestigious private school, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

A teenager has pleaded guilty to breaking into Sunshine Coast Grammar School and causing thousands of dollars in damages. Picture: Google

A 15-year-old boy was on a huge bender when he caused $60,000 in damages to a prestigious Sunshine Coast school, a court has heard.

Maroochydore Childrens Court heard this week the teenager, who cannot be named due to legislation, was on a “binge drinking spree” in the lead up to the vandal attack at Sunshine Coast Grammar School on March 19.

Crown prosecutor Alex Stark said the boy and allegedly his 17-year-old co-accused, who was still before the court, broke into the private school’s administration building about 11pm and damaged multiple pieces of property.

The court was told the youth destroyed computer monitors, glass doors, televisions, furniture and office supplies before the pair were alleged to have broken into the school’s prep building and caused more damage with a fire extinguisher.

Milk and apple juice were poured all over the floor and benches while jars of food were thrown everywhere.

Mr Stark said the boys then allegedly threw a pool cleaner motor into a pool.

The behaviour during the entire vandal spree cost the school $60,000, the court heard.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School is a private school in Forest Glen.

The court heard the teenager also committed an armed robbery at the BWS Maroochydore on July 26, 2023.

Mr Stark said the teenager, who was 14 at the time, walked into the bottle shop with a mask and a hoodie where he showed a knife in his waistband to the shop attendant.

He said the boy stole a bottle of Jim Beam bourbon and $170 cash.

“This poor man,” Judge Jennifer Rosengren said.

Defence barrister Lily Brisick told the court the teenager left school in grade nine and became friends with some “disengaged” youth, where he experimented with drugs and alcohol.

Ms Brisick said the 15-year-old was on a “binge drinking spree” in the fortnight before the school vandal attack and had a poor recollection of his actions during the incident.

The teen spent six nights in the watch house after his arrest before he was granted bail on a 24 hour home curfew.

The boys damaged multiple items including a pool cleaner.

Since then he stopped drinking, took part in counselling and was enrolled in school.

Judge Rosengren said it was good to see the boy “trying to do the right thing” since being charged.

The Childrens Court Judge said young people get caught up in the “wrong crowd” and do silly things, but said he should not forget about those affected by his offending.

“You’re hurting that poor man in the alcohol store ... he had to pull out of university ... he finds it hard to work at night time now, he’s had to miss subjects,” Judge Rosengren said.

“Do you know how many kids that you have inconvenienced and couldn’t get on with their next day because of what you went and did to that school?”

The teenager pleaded guilty to two counts of break and enter, armed robbery and wilful damage and was sentenced to 15 months probation.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Teenager sentenced for causing $60k damage to Sunshine Coast Grammar School