Toowoomba teen guilty of violent bottle-o robbery, property offences, released after more than 200 days in custody

Following a spate of incidents at a Toowoomba shopping centre bottle shop, a court was told employees were too fearful to work, however a single mother who felt she had no choice is now plagued by nightmares and panic attacks after a violent robbery.

A teenager has been sentenced for a violent bottle shop robbery. Picture: FILE // photo iStock.

A Darling Downs teenager has been released from custody after spending more than 200 days in custody for taking part in the brazen robbery of the Wilsonton Shopping Centre Cellarbrations store.

One of three teenage girls who was involved in the violent shop steal in 2023 was sentenced before the Children’s Court of Queensland in Toowoomba on Friday, November 8.

The young woman pleaded guilty earlier in the year to a number of charges including robbery with violence in company, stealing, unlawful use of cars, and burglary by break.

The court was told the then 15-year-old girl’s alcohol addiction was the motivation behind the robbery, and despite her terribly traumatic and prejudicial childhood predisposing her to peer pressure crime, her future was promising.

ThWilsonton Shopping Centre. Picture: FILE

The alcohol was stolen from the bottle shop on August 4, two days after the girl was released on bail for property offences.

The court was told after the trio entered the shop the sole clerk recognised one of the defendants and called security.

The defendant put two bottles of Bundaberg Rum in her bag and another girl put a bottle in her jumper.

The girls also grabbed three six-packs of premixed spirits.

The clerk asked the girls to return the alcohol and leave however they did not and a scuffle ensured after the worker and guard attempted to block their getaway.

The defendant pushed the woman before struggling over a bag that held half of the stolen goods, however the trio fled with the alcohol.

Police later tracked the defendant and one co-offender to a hotel room they were staying in, however the third girl was never identified.

Barrister Scott Neaves said the young woman, who improved her skills and education considerably in detention, cried when she read the woman’s victim impact statement and a report indicated she had high levels of remorse.

Mr Neaves said there was significant hope for the girl’s future, in part due to the effort she’d put in her sobriety, and her detailed action plan on how to achieve employment and independence from her primary caregivers.

The court was told the girl had a very difficult childhood where she was neglected, sexually abused, forced to protect her siblings from violence, witnessed substance abuse, and was subject to excessive forms of discipline.

The Toowoomba court house.

Judge Vicki Loury KC said the girl’s upbringing affected the development of her emotional regulation, impulse control, and consequential thinking, which had “in fact predisposed (her) to offending”.

“And that is not your fault,” Judge Loury told the girl who was wiping tears from her face.

“You sought respite from the symptoms of your trauma through your peers and your antisocial activities.”

“Your drug and alcohol misuse likely impacted your emotional and cognitive development.

“You are influenced by others and find it difficult to say no, particularly to demands… (like) filling stolen cars with fuel.”

Judge Loury told the girl the woman she assaulted went to work fearful of being robbed, however she had no choice given she was the sole provider for her children.

“She says that they were aware there was a problem with young people stealing… (and) they were all fearful to work,” she said.

“She bravely tried to stop you and the other girls… and as a consequence, she now suffers from nightmares… (and) panic attacks.”

“She writes, ‘I would really like these young people to stop and think about the impact on the community.’”

After spending 205 days in custody, Judge Loury sentenced the 16-year-old to a nine-month detention order with immediate release, a six-month supervision order, and a 12-month probation order.

“You’re doing really well now… this is really the last chance you got to change things so keep on doing what you’re doing,” she said.

No family members were in court in support of the teenager when she was sentenced.

No conviction was recorded and a restorative justice order was made.