Toowoomba boy, 15, charged stealing disabled child’s bike from family home

A prolific shoplifter with loot of about $1500 stole a disabled child’s bike, then tried to sell it back to the rightful owner on Facebook Marketplace.

Photo: QPS.

A young thief tried to sell a disabled child’s stolen bike back to the rightful owner in a shortsighted Facebook Marketplace deal.

The boy appeared in Toowoomba Childrens Court, pleading guilty to six counts of stealing from business and residents across Toowoomba totalling a value around $1500.

The court was told that between August 17 and September 28 the boy took two scooters, two BMX bicycles, a child’s Barbie bike and a $300 lawnmower from a Toowoomba family home which he later put up for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

The complainant and father to a disabled child then found the listings and organised to meet the boy under the guise of purchasing one of the items.

“It was at that junction that (the father) said the bike belonged to his disabled child,” police prosecutor Julia Wheaton said.

“(The child) then left … and a short time later he returned with another BMX bicycle that belonged to (the father) but then commented that the other items could not be returned because they had been sold.”

Police then executed a search warrant and recovered a Barbie bicycle and two scootersat the boy’s property but did not locate the lawnmower.

The young thief also brazenly stole around $1000 of groceries from Woolworths, skirting past employees in his escape, and hundreds of dollars worth of liquor from various Toowoomba businesses.

“He was living at his girlfriend’s place at the time and wanted to effectively fill their fridge with groceries,” duty solicitor Nicholas Bennett said of his client’s motivations.

“He was drinking about two or three times a month but he’s noticed drinking has had an adverse effect on his health … so he has decided to cease his alcohol consumption.”

Mr Bennett suggested a diversion to the restorative justice program to solidify the seriousness of the boy’s actions in his own mind.

“He can build some understanding as to the broader impact that these offences have on the community,” Mr Bennett said.

Magistrate Kyna Morice condemned the boy for his disregard for the community.

“If you want to contribute to that household, if you want to do something nice for somebody, get a job and pay for it yourself,” Ms Morice said.

“You’ve stolen a lot of things.

“The nature of these offences might not be the most serious that come before the court, but for their high value, but I find it concerning because of the way you conducted yourself.

“You knew you were taking some joy away from a small child.

“It’s inappropriate, unlawful and highly disappointing conduct.”

The boy was referred to the restorative justice program where he will be made to face his victims.