Henry Shore wants youth justice laws toughened to stop offenders

“The police and firefighters did a wonderful job, but our legal system lets them down. Somewhere along the line we lost the right to punish people for the crimes they commit.”

Shore Prestige Motor Dealer, owner Henry Shore. Mr Shore lost valuable stock after kids set cars alight on Monday December 7.

HENRY Shore is facing a difficult Christmas after teen arsonists torched several Mercedes sedans that he was ready to sell.

The vehicles were set alight by a boy and two girls and though the financial loss was hard to take, Mr Shore said he was saddened by state laws that let the teens to walk free.

“The police and firefighters did a wonderful job, but our legal system lets them down,” he said.

“Somewhere along the line we lost the right to punish people for the crimes they commit.”

Along with destroying stock at the Shore Prestige Motor Dealer car yard, the trio set fire to a former Toowoomba South State School building, now owned by the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, about 4.15am on Monday.

Shore Prestige Motor Dealer owner Henry Shore it upset three arsonists will not face court for destroying his stock.

The incidents led to an extensive police operation to identify and apprehend the offenders.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the 16-year-old boy and two girls, aged 13 and 14 were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act would not appear before a magistrate.

“They have not been served with Notices to Appear in Court,” she said.

“When diverting young persons away from the court process, there are a number of legislated requirements which must occur.

“The young person must from the outset admit committing the offence to the investigating police officer.

“Others include the seriousness of the offence, the history of the young person and their willingness to be involved in the diversionary process.”

Three teens were arrested for their role in torching vehicles at Henry Shore’s used car dealership in Fitzgibbon St.

Mr Shore said he would have liked to see the teens face court.

“I work here on my own seven days a week, but I do not make big money, then someone has come along and taken away half my stock,” he said.

“Those vehicles were prepped and ready for sale.”

“I am proud of the work I do, but someone has destroyed it.”

The teens torched used cars and workshop equipment worth about $34,350.

“How am I going to replace that stock at this time of the year and how hard do I have to work to make that money back?” Mr Shore said.

A suspicious fires destroyed part of the Catholic Schools office in James St

He called on the Queensland Government to strengthen the youth justice laws.

This is something Toowoomba South MP and State Opposition Deputy Leader David Janetski agreed with.

“The community rightly expect that there will be consequences for criminal actions,” he said.

“The Opposition has long called for amendments to strengthen the law.

“The State Government must now ensure the police has police have the laws they need to protect property and the community.”

There are several of provision the Youth Justice Act for dealing with offenders that range from a caution and through to detention.

Arsonists destroyed classic Mercedes sedans at Shore Prestige Motor Dealer on Monday December 7.