Teen girls agree to meet with victim after violent carjacking

The girls who pulled a 76-year-old woman from her car and punched her in the head have had their matters finalised in a way the police hope will benefit both the victim and her attackers.

The two girls who attacked an elderly woman in the Clifford Garden car park last week have agreed to meet with their victim and undergo a process of restorative justice.

It was an option available to the girls under the Youth Justice Act given their young age and limited criminal history.

At about 4.30pm on May 25, the two girls, aged 16 and 14, confronted their 76-year-old victim in the shopping centre car park.

They demanded that she hand over her vehicle and when she refused the girls pulled her from it and punched her in the head several times.

The girls stole the 2013 Holden Cruze and fled south along Anzac Ave as onlookers rushed to the woman’s aid.

She suffered bruising to her head along with cuts to her hands and arms and was transported to Toowoomba Hospital for treatment.

Officers from the Toowoomba Child Protection Investigation Unit conducted extensive inquiries after the assault and arrested the 16-year-old at the weekend and the 14-year-old on Monday.

They were charged with two counts of robbery and one count each of entering premises, attempted robbery and stealing.

Rather than face the Childrens Court the girls agreed to meet with their victim so they may offer an apology in person, discuss the offence and hear first-hand how their actions have affected her.

To be eligible a young offender must first admit to committing the crimes.

The chief executive hears their application and makes a decision based on the nature of the offences, the child’s criminal history and the harm suffered by their victim.

If the child initially agrees to the meeting but later pulls out they may have the offences brought before a Childrens Court magistrate.

Toowoomba CPIU officer-in-charge Renee Garske said restorative justice often led to positive results for both parties, particularly because it gave the victim a voice.

“Often, we can have some really great outcomes in terms of the offenders writing letters of apology or agreeing to pay restitution,” she said.

While the girls have agreed to the meeting, police are yet to confirm if the woman has accepted the invitation.