Toowoomba teen sentenced for role in terrifying home invasion

Following a bloody home invasion, a Toowoomba court was told a homeowner spent $30,000 on medical bills and had to renege on a business venture after the terrifying ordeal.

Generic photo of a troubled teenager / depression / sad / therapy

A Toowoomba teenager and recidivist property offender was two months away from his 18th birthday when he took part in a violent home invasion, granting the young man anonymity and a sentence under the youth crime provision.

Toowoomba District Court was told the teenager and a co-offender, who was the principal offender, smashed their way into a Darling Downs home in March 2024 while high on meth after a spate of property crimes.

The court was told the owner of the property was seriously injured during the home invasion after the co-offender smashed a glass vase into his face which was filled with sand.

After a scuffle ensued inside the home, the young men fled in a stolen car that was waiting outside.

The homeowner, who was home with his wife at the time of the incident, sustained small fractures to his jaw, several lacerations, and extensive injuries and trauma to his teeth which required surgery.

The man’s dental bills had since surpassed $30,000, and the court was also told he’d spent $8000 improving home security, however his wife still lived in fear.

The court was told the victims had planned to buy a cafe, but as a result of the crime, they were not able to follow through.

The teenager was arrested and remained in custody since March, and in October pleaded guilty to burglary by break at night in company with violence and unlawful use of a stolen car.

The court was told the teen, who had an “alarming criminal history” was released from detention weeks before the crime and reoffended after reuniting with an old acquaintance who was recently released from detention.

The court was told the boy had a significantly deprived and disadvantaged upbringing where he experienced violence and substance abuse from a very young age.

Judge Dennis Lynch KC sentenced the now 18-year-old to a two-year jail term, where he was required to serve 50 per cent of the term before being released back into the community.

“Not only did the homeowner suffer significant pain and had to undergo surgery as a result of being seriously injured, there has been significant disruption to the lives of (the married pair),” he said.

He said although the teen did not enter the home armed nor cause the victim’s injuries, it was obvious the forceful break would wake the occupants and ultimately lead to a confrontation.

Judge Lynch warned the boy that although he’d been before court many times before, he was now “on the cusp” of the rest of his life, and it was up to him to change his ways and live outside the prison system.

He said it was not acceptable to disrespect people and their property, now or in the future, and if he was genuine in his desire to change his life for the better, he could achieve it.

The boy will be released back into the community after serving the remaining five or so months of his detention order in an adult jail, however he will be subject to supervision.

He will also partake in a restorative justice order with the victims.

No convictions were recorded.