Bailed teen in new strife

Court told of car theft, police chase, but boy freed again

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy, who was out on three sets of bail when he allegedly stole a car and led police on a pursuit that ended with flattened road sign, was released on bail for a fourth time yesterday.

The boy appeared in a Children’s Court for a bail application over numerous alleged theft and burglary offences.

The court heard the boy had allegedly been found in a stolen car and failed to stop on request by police.

A police prosecutor said the 13-year-old and a co-offender stole a car outside a Corio milk bar early in the morning on February 9.

She said the co-offender was in the driver’s seat and the accused was seen running after the car.

“The stolen vehicle was spotted by police on Cox Rd in Corio and turned right into Matthews Rd,” she said. “They attempted to intercept with blue lights and sirens.

“The vehicle went through the roundabout and fishtailed, losing control and crossing on to the incorrect side of the road and mounted the kerb on the west side,” she said.

“The vehicle ran over a 60km/h speed sign and flattened it on the ground before coming to rest blocking two driveways.

“The accused had tried to get out of the back seat of the car where he was seated — he was blocked in by a tree — before getting out and running away.”

The police prosecutor said officers pursued him on foot and eventually caught him in a driveway.

“The accused was currently on bail to appear before this court on February 22 facing two counts of theft and 26 charges of burglary and theft and other matters.

“His last bail was granted on January 18 — the accused breached all conditions of the current bail.”

During the last bail hearing, the court heard the teen had allegedly entered the main bedroom of someone’s home while they were asleep.

“He jumped on him and hit him with both fists. The accused then produced a knife and held it to his stomach,” a prosecutor said.

The court was told the boy is alleged to have then cut the man, leaving him with a scratch on the stomach.

In releasing him on bail yesterday, the magistrate said he took into account the age of the accused and support systems in place.

The magistrate strengthened the bail conditions with an added curfew, no alcohol, no drugs, no contact with any co-accused and several geographic restrictions.