Teenager faces Toowoomba Childrens Court for Hamilton home invasion, Toowoomba break and enters

A teenager who held a knife to a man’s throat during a home invasion in Brisbane, before making off in a $375,000 car, went on to commit a crime spree across Toowoomba, a court has been told.

A teenager who held a knife to the throat of a Brisbane man during a violent home invasion, before committing a crime spree of break and enters across Toowoomba, has been jailed.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Children’s Court of Queensland in Toowoomba on Monday where he pleaded guilty to a raft of 14 offences, including burglary while armed in company, armed robbery, burglary by break at night and multiple counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court was told the teenager was with two others when on October 9, 2021, the group disguised themselves and forced their way into a home in the Brisbane suburb of Hamilton.

While armed with a knife the teenager demanded the homeowner’s wallet and cash, as well as the keys to the luxury Bentley.

A co-offender went to grab a knife in the home’s kitchen, but was challenged by the home’s occupant, only to have the teenager place the blade of a 26cm knife to his throat, Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie said.

After fleeing the scene the court was told the teenager made his way to Toowoomba, where between October 9 and 10 he committed five break-ins and attempted break-ins around the city, first in Cotswald Hills before moving on to Middle Ridge and Harristown.

Ms Petrie said one of the home occupants was woken by a bright light being shined in his face, and demands for his keys and wallet, as well as threats he would be killed if he didn’t comply.

The teenager was arrested by police later that day, and has been held in remand.

The teenager’s barrister Nathan Edridge said his client had taken it upon himself to engage with a psychologist while in custody, and it was his own willingness to seek treatment that showed a desire to change the trajectory of his life.

Mr Edridge said his client started using cannabis at age eight, and was addicted to methylamphetamine by the time he was 13.

Mr Edridge also submitted his client was remorseful and had hopes to continue working on his rehabilitation.

Judge Michael Byrne QC sentenced the teen to 21 months detention, with a release date set at 70 per cent of time served. No conviction was recorded.