Hours after a teenager was arrested over the alleged stabbing of two men at Karrinyup Shopping Centre he allegedly went on to commit three further offences, but has still been released from custody.
The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after the public helped police track him and an alleged co-offender down after the alleged June 16 incident that left two men with serious injuries.
The teenagers were arrested by police and charged after the incident.Credit: Nine News Perth
It’s alleged the 16-year-olds stole knives from Big W and took them through the mall to a pre-arranged meeting with two 18-year-olds.
It is alleged the 16-year-olds threatened the men, and then that one of the 18-year-olds was stabbed in the stomach, the other slashed in the wrists and thigh.
On Tuesday, the 16-year-old appeared before magistrate Alana Padmanabham via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre to apply for bail over the charges – two counts of grievous bodily harm and one of aggravated armed robbery, though police do not allege he was the primary attacker.
The court heard he allegedly went on to commit three further serious crimes in the hours after his release on police bail on June 16, and that he was then charged with three separate offences of assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault and making a threat. He will appear before the court on those charges on July 18.
State prosecutors told Padmanabham they “strongly opposed” releasing the boy from detention.
“His presentation on body-worn camera footage was quite concerning,” they said.
“There are strong concerns for his mental health, and he was caught on CCTV footage wielding a knife in public … the state would have concerns about the public safety.”
But the boy’s lawyer told the court he did not take part in the stabbings and would plead not guilty, meaning a trial could be months away and he could spend unnecessary time in custody.
She told the court “some self-harm” had been reported and he would not get the help he needed at Banksia Hill.
“These charges will ultimately go to trial based on my instructions and there are ways he could be managed in the community,” she said.
Padmanabham allowed the boy to be released to a residential youth drug and alcohol program
She also told the boy he would be looking at “an immediate term of imprisonment” if found guilty and ordered he return to Banksia Hill upon the program completion.
“There is a strong prosecution case and although you’re not alleged to have actually done the stabbing, you’re not in a position where you should be granted bail,” she said.
“I have to protect the community.
“This really is your last chance.”
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