Boy, 15, pleads guilty in Childrens Court of Queensland at Toowoomba to arson and attempted robbery with violence

The boy and two of his mates mercilessly bashed another teen in front of a busy shopping centre with a piece of a Christmas statue, all over a pair of shoes.

A 15-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to attempted armed robbery, in company and with violence, after he attempted to steal another boys shoes at Grand Central Shopping Centre.

A boy who mercilessly bashed another teen with a piece of a broken Christmas statue has been released from detention, after telling the judge wanted to go back to school.

The 15-year-old boy had served 218 days in pre-sentence detention after he was arrested for the assault in 2024.

On Wednesday, the Childrens Court of Queensland was told the boy first came to the attention of police in 2023 when he set fire to rubbish that was stored in the back of a Nissan Navarro at Goondiwindi.

The court was told the fire spread quickly, destroying the uninsured vehicle that was worth about $11,000.

Representing the Crown, Jaidyn Paroz told the court that the boy fled from the scene before emergency services arrived, but was arrested in Toowoomba a few days later.

The boy was charged with arson and released on parole.

The court was told he breached that parole several times before he committed an attempted armed robbery at Grand Central Shopping Centre on December 9, 2024.

Mr Paroz told the court that the boy and two alleged co-accused damaged two Christmas rabbit sculptures at the centre.

A short time later, about 5.30am, they came across another 15-year-old boy laying down on a bench near the centre’s entrance.

“They asked the complainant what size his shoes were,” Mr Paroz said.

“He replied that they were his size and that he didn’t want any trouble.”

Despite the victim’s plea for calm, the trio set upon him, kicking and punching him, and striking him with a broken piece of the Christmas statue.

The court was told the victim was able to break free and run to the police, who arrested the boy later that day.

He was held on remand until Wednesday, when he pleaded guilty to one count each of arson, wilful damage and attempted armed robbery in company with violence.

Defense barrister John Davis said his client had good prospects for rehabilitation as he was supported by his family and had restarted his education while in detention.

Importantly, Mr Davis said his client wanted to stay away from the peer group involved in the robbery and focus on AFL instead.

“He says has the mental strength to avoid that peer group, time will tell if he can maintain that,” Mr Davis said.

“Everything is there for him on his release.”

Judge Suzanne Sheridan took into account the boy’s long period of pre-sentence detention and released him on a 12-month probation order, with no conviction recorded.