Boy, 15, makes bid for bail after alleged car theft arrest despite facing 36 charges

A 15-year-old boy, arrested during a weekend of car thefts across Cairns, has made an application for bail despite now being before the court on 36 charges spanning over a year of alleged break-ins and car thefts.

Police have released vision after seven people were charged following a series of alleged stolen vehicle incidents across Cairns this weekend. Picture: Supplied.

A 15-year-old boy, arrested during a weekend of car thefts across Cairns, has made an application for bail despite now being before the courts on 36 charges spanning over a year of alleged break-ins and car thefts.

Over the weekend, four teens and three adults were charged after 16 cars were allegedly stolen in separate thefts across Cairns.

The alleged spree began on Friday night, October 25, when a Toyota LandCruiser Prado was reported stolen from a property on Shaft Street in Edmonton.

On Saturday the Prado was spotted travelling in a convoy with two other stolen vehicles, a Mazda station wagon which was allegedly stolen from a Trinity Beach address and a Mitsubishi ASX allegedly stolen from a Paramatta Park.

Police have released vision after seven people were charged following a series of alleged stolen vehicle incidents across Cairns this weekend. Picture: Supplied.

A 15-year-old boy connected with the theft of the Prado was apprehended and arrested with others on Saturday.

The teen appeared in Childrens Court on Monday where he now faces a total of 36 charges including 13 break and enters, stealing, and 17 of unlawful use of motor vehicle.

Despite the lengthy rap sheet, the teenager made an application for bail which was ultimately granted by a highly reluctant magistrate Terry Browne.

Police prosecutor Taylor Reedy opposed bail, explaining the span of offending stretched into September last year as a result of the boy’s fingerprints which had allegedly been identified and connected with previous offences.

Ms Reedy described the alleged offending as “inherently serious” and told the court the boy was captured in CCTV footage which showed the boy breaking into people’s homes, stealing belongings, and car keys.

“He’s then ridden in these stolen cars, joy-riding around Cairns and stealing from fuel stations,” she said.

Ms Reedy said it was unlikely the boy would spend a period in detention due to having no juvenile history and conceded there would be a risk of him spending too much time in detention if held on remand.

Mr Browne said the issue was just one of the concerns as he dealt with “a year’s worth” of offending on the first presentation.

Seven people have been charged following a weekend of alleged stolen vehicle incidents that spread across the region of Cairns. Picture: QPS. Picture: QPS

“I’m dealing with what I see as a very serious string of charges and it’s more than just opportunistic offending with bolt cutters being used and entering people’s homes when people have been in them,” he said.

“It is also not just the use of these cars but dangerous driving and high risk behaviour.

“There are also some very concerning elements about some of the items police have found in the cars.”

Mr Browne said that if he had been charged throughout, it would be a very different situation.

“He would have no chance of bail,” he said.

“I’m trying to balance on one side that he hasn’t been given an opportunity under the youth justice system and what it can provide to young people.

“But, keeping the community safe is what I have real concerns with.”

The boy’s defence counsel Jaci Boughton told the court the teenager had no prior juvenile history and highlighted he had spent two nights in the watch house and has had a “wake up call”.

“He’s been basically unchecked for months now, but now the family is more aware now of what he has been up to they’ll be able to keep a better eye on him.”

Ms Boughton advised the boy would be willing to complete a conditional bail program with a curfew and no contact with his co-accused.

Mr Browne said because the boy had no juvenile history the starting position was that bail ought to be granted and referenced the detention as a last resort principle.

“In the way the law is as it stands, it is that young persons are given the opportunity — and he should be given an opportunity — to make some changes and access the benefits of a youth justice program.”

The boy was granted bail and his matter was adjourned until November 28.

Originally published as Boy, 15, makes bid for bail after alleged car theft arrest despite facing 36 charges