Young teen sentenced for string of home invasions and car thefts in Toowoomba

A boy who robbed an elderly couple at knifepoint and stole more than $25,000 in valuables has claimed detention offers him a better life.

A 14-year-old Toowoomba boy has been sentenced for 48 offences including armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary. Picture: File

A violent teen offender has claimed life in detention beats life on the outside while his victims live in a constant state of fear.

A 14-year-old Toowoomba boy pleaded guilty to 48 offences before Toowoomba District Court on Wednesday after embarking on a weeks-long crime spree across the Darling Downs from July 3 to Jul 25, 2024.

The court heard the boy burgled eight homes, attempted entry to a further eight, stole multiple vehicles, caused $1000 of damage to homes, took part in three car crashes and swiped more than $25,000 worth of valuables from the properties.

Among his victims were an older couple who were robbed at knifepoint by the boy and a co-accused at their Newtown home.

The couple, aged 60 and 76, woke to the intruders, who forced the pair to hand over their cash, cards, ID, phones and car keys, leaving them with no means to find help.

The 60-year-old woman detailed the immense fear she now suffered following the attack.

“I could not function, sleep or eat or think clearly,” she said in a victim impact statement.

“I dream about the events and about similar things happening again … I relive the offence over and over again.”

The couple spent thousands to increase security at their home, adding bolts to their bedroom doors and windows alongside security cameras.

“The house could not be opened up by us so it’s become like a prison,” she said.

“I react with panic and fear every time there is a noise outside my home.

“I still don’t feel safe.”

During the attack, the woman begged the boy to leave her rings behind; despite her pleas, they stole the incredibly sentimental items which are yet to be found.

Mr Edridge said, at the time of the offending, the boy struggled with substance misuse and was grieving the death of two close relatives.

He added the boy had expressed regret for attacking the elderly couple.

“He is sorry, it’s no excuse but, in his words, he was ‘off his head’ and he doesn’t think he would have even gone out that night let alone got involved in something (like this),” Mr Edridge said.

While the boy claimed to have had a good childhood in a pre-sentence report, defence barrister Nathan Edridge said it was likely him “looking at the bright side” of a life filled with trauma.

“His grandmother is really saying she has done her best to protect him from the awful circumstances he was born into,” Mr Edridge said.

“He’s never known his father, his mother was first incarcerated when he was only two.”

Despite being contacted, none of the boy’s family showed up to support him in court.

In his remarks, Judge Paul Smith AM asked the boy his experience in detention.

“Dece (sic), it’s good: I get three meals a day, I have school,” the boy replied.

“It’s easier than the outside, on the outside I have to watch my back I’ve been shot at … chased for money heaps of times.”

The boy was sentenced to six month detention with immediate release after spending 225 days in pre-sentence custody; he was further ordered to serve twelve months probation.

No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Young teen sentenced for string of home invasions and car thefts in Toowoomba