Teen car thief’s shocking record told to court

A YARRABAH teen with more than 100 entries on his criminal record is back before the court for taking cars.

The 16-year-old boy is an habitual offender who has spent 18 of the last 22 months in detention.

“That’s an extremely shocking way to spend teenage years,” defence barrister Rochelle Logan said.

The boy pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of stealing in December last year, and was sentenced to time served and an extended probation order.

This means he is free to wander within the community, but under strict conditions.

Ms Logan said the boy had a disadvantaged youth.

“He started going into detention when he was only 13 years of age,” Ms Logan said. “He’s out now and he’s moving forward.”

His most recent offences involved stealing his aunt’s car, which he filled up with diesel fuel, causing the engine to stop.

The boy then stole another car to get home. He and a cooffender also stole a bike.

“They were opportunistic offences committed really out of boredom,” Ms Logan said.

The Children’s Court was told that the boy had an extensive criminal history for someone his age, with 111 entries. As a result of the recent offending, he spent 195 days in detention before being allowed bail in June.

“You know that you’re going to get into a lot of trouble … you know that it’s going to cause other people worry and worse … but you still do it,” Judge Leanne Clare said

Judge Clare acknowledged that the teen had such a terrible early life.

“You were abused and neglected, that has to be very traumatic and hard to deal with,” she said. “But since then a lot of people have been trying to help you and trying to get you support.

“It’s heartbreaking to think that you have been in and out of detention since you were 13.

“But if you keep breaking the law, ultimately the only choice of the court is to lock you up.”

IT’S HEARTBREAKING TO THINK THAT YOU HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF DETENTION SINCE YOU WERE 13