16-year-old Cunnamulla boy pleads guilty to string of burglaries and armed robbery

While visiting Toowoomba, a teenage boy with an almost spotless record plunged head first into a world of crime, terrorising homeowners and businesses in a string of destructive burglaries.

A 16-year-old has appeared in the Childrens Court of Queensland pleading guilty to a string of burglaries and an armed robbery. Picture: Dan Peled / NewsWire

Destroying his almost spotless criminal record, a teenage boy has confessed to a string of burglaries across Toowoomba, including a violent home invasion where a couple were held at knifepoint.

The 16-year-old boy appeared via video link before the Childrens Court of Queensland on Wednesday pleading guilty to a string of burglaries and an armed robbery.

The court heard the boy, then aged 14 and 15, while visiting family in Toowoomba in June, broke into a Cafe 63 and stole alcohol.

A few weeks later, the boy and a co-offender again broke into Cafe 63, this time stealing knives and alcohol, then proceeding to break into several homes, stealing keys and driving away from the properties in the owner’s cars.

Five days following their first slew of break-ins, the teen with his co-offender again attempted to enter multiple homes, and, when they failed to access the homes, stole cash, bank cards and items from nearby vehicles.

That same night, the teen offenders entered the home of a Toowoomba couple who they threatened at knifepoint.

The court heard the mature woman was told to give over her phone passwords as the teen offenders rummaged through the couple’s belongings, taking sentimental jewellery, wallets, phones and keys.

One of the pair threatened the couple further, claiming to use a gun if they did not comply.

Following the incident, the couple spent thousands to increase security at their home, adding bolts to their bedroom doors and windows alongside security cameras.

“What happened has touched every part of our lives,” the woman said in a victim impact statement.

“I could not function, sleep, eat, talk, or think clearly.

“I was emotional and frightened all the time.

“I have trouble going to bed, I can’t fall asleep.

“I live in a state of fear.”

The teen’s co-offender was sentenced to six months detention and ordered to serve an additional twelve months probation for his role in the violent robbery and other similar offending.

Defence barrister Wesley Seewald said the boy expressed remorse for his action, particularly his crimes against the Toowoomba couple.

“He feels bad and he is sorry,” Mr Seewald said.

“He recognises that this is serious offending and that it certainly would have had a detrimental effect (on his victims).”

Mr Seewald said the boy’s offending had clearly escalated when he arrived in Toowoomba and therefore would benefit from supervision.

“He committed this series of offences in short succession … it’s quite the spree, it’s a significant spree,” Mr Seewald said.

“He has a stable home environment, it’s certainly not the case his home environment contributed to his offending before the court, it’s quite the opposite – it was his removal there from.”

The 16-year-old was formally sentenced for four counts of enter premises and stealing, two counts of enter premises by break and stealing, one count of burglary and stealing, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle in the night, one count of burglary by break and stealing, three counts of attempted burglary in the night, one count of burglary by break in the night, one count of burglary by break while armed in company in the night, one count of armed robbery in company and two counts of enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.

He was given an 18 month probation order and instructed to complete a 12 month restorative justice order.

No convictions were recorded.