Darling Downs recidivist and violent teen offender released on parole after committing 50+ crimes

50+ Crimes: A 14-year-old ‘juvie king’ has been released on parole after he pleaded guilty to terrorising the Darling Downs community during a violent meth-fuelled crime spree.

A young recidivist and violence offender has been released on parole in the Darling Downs region. Picture: File / generic

A young recidivist and violent offender has been released on parole after the 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty to more than 50 property, theft, and drug-fuelled crimes.

On Wednesday, May 22, the Children’s Court of Queensland heard the child committed the crimes in a group setting while high on crystal meth.

He pleaded guilty to a raft of charges which included; burglary, unlawful entry of a car at night with violence while armed in company, unlawful use in company with violence, and theft.

Due to time constraints, Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC asked Crown prosecutor Abby Kong not to put the details surrounding the charges onto the public record.

The Toowoomba Court House. Picture: Peta McEachern

However, prosecutor Kong noted one of the boy’s crimes significantly affected a seven-year-old boy who bore witnesses to an offence.

“It’s quite clear… from that victim impact statement that the effects on the child were very significant, including putting a seven-year-old on a mental health plan, having to see a child psychologist, bed wetting as a result, and a fear of his birthday which is a particularly sad aspect.”

She also said during one burglary on January 27, 2023, about $60,000 of jewellery was stolen, and the following month he stole more than $26,000 from a cafe employee, and $15,000 worth of Chinese Lucky money.

She noted nothing seemed to deter the boy from reoffending, and he began breaking into homes and stealing cars from the age of 10.

The court heard the child had a particularly traumatic upbringing which may have contributed to his behaviour, along with his meth use that started at the same time as his significant criminal history.

Judge Horneman-Wren told the child, “don’t go back to meth”.

“You can’t control yourself (on meth) you admitted it yourself,” he said.

“You hang out with 23-year-olds who are taking drugs and committing offences, you have no power to control those circumstances.

“There is no one here in this room who wants to see you bouncing in and out of jail all your life.

“You’ve got to stop it now… (or) you will end up going to jail as a young adult male, and I’ll tell you this, you might be king of the kids in juvie but you won’t be the number one dog in an adult jail.”

Judge Horneman-Wren told the boy he had one last chance to change his life for the better and use the support of the Department of Youth Justice.

“In my view a lengthy probation order… following a period of lengthy remand, that it is an appropriate sentencing option and... therefore detention not only should not, as a matter of law, cannot be imposed,” he said.

He noted a report tabled to the court said if he were to remain in juvenile detention with young offenders he knew well, it would be detrimental to him and the community.

“This is your chance,” he told the boy who is also an avid football player.

“If you don’t take this chance then it will be a great shame for you, your family, and it will be a great pity for the community.

“You’ve got to understand that the offences that you’ve been committing are really serious offences.

“The sentencing proceedings in the future are less about you and more about protecting the community and that means keeping you in detention.

“But I hope it doesn’t come to that, I really do.

“Go and do the right thing all right? And take your aggression out on the (rugby) opposition and only on the opposition.”

The young teen was released on a strict 18-month probation order to reside at a Darling Downs home with his grandmother, where he will be subject to random drug testing and a nightly curfew.