GUILTY TEEN BURGLAR GRANTED BAIL

A TEENAGER has been granted bail despite already being on multiple court orders when he broke into three Geelong homes earlier this month.

The 15-year-old boy was freed from custody in a children’s court yesterday after pleading guilty to a string of charges dating back to June.

The teen had been in custody for 12 days following his arrest for three break-ins within a week at homes in Bell Post Hill.

People were asleep inside two of the homes when the boy and others gained entry and stole car keys, before fleeing with vehicles parked outside.

In one instance, a stolen Toyota Hilux was dumped in Bell Park after colliding with a parked sedan, before the youths fled through private properties.

At the time of the incidents, the teenager was on probation as well as court-imposed bail, which included a night-time curfew. After being arrested by police, he told officers he would wait for his mother to go to bed before sneaking out of his home.

He also said he would “probably f---ing stab” any resident who confronted him during a burglary.

The court heard the teenager was also involved in the theft of two motorcycles from a Batesford address in July.

The boy’s defence lawyer said the teenager had used the 12 days behind bars — the first time he had been locked up — to reflect on his life.

“He’s openly articulated to me that he doesn’t want to return to custody,” she said.

“He’s a young man. He has dreams. “He wants a future.” The boy was bailed and had his sentencing deferred until December 18.

As part of his bail conditions, the teen must abide by a night-time curfew and not associate with any co-accused.