Teen terror let loose

Criminal’s history of harm has 120 entries

A FAR Northern juvenile who has been sent to detention 11 times for property offending has been released.

No convictions have been recorded against the 17-yearold, whose criminal history has at least 120 entries.

Nine days after Judge Dean Morzone released him from detention in March the youth entered an Innisfail home and stole a wallet and purse, taking $85 before dumping the property, a court heard.

Joshua Francis, for crown prosecutions, said when police went to the youth’s home he fled out the window.

The teen, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested and has already spent 173 days in detention awaiting sentence.

Yesterday he pleaded guilty, again before Judge Morzone in the Children’s Court of Queensland in Cairns, to various offences including the burglary and trespassing in April.

“He committed the offence because he was lonely and had no money,” defence barrister Rochelle Logan said.

The court was told that the teen began drinking at age 14, which progressed to drug use. By last year he was using methylamphetamines.

“(He) has had a sad start to his life,” Ms Logan said.

He was exposed to domestic violence, emotional and physical abuse and neglect.

He turns 18 next month and Ms Logan said “he has a plan”.

The court was told the teen had work and accommodation already lined up.

He was sentenced to 173 days detention with immediate release and his presentence custody was declared time already served. Convictions were not recorded, which both prosecution and defence agreed was appropriate.

“If you don’t change … you will find yourself in an adult prison,” Judge Morzone said.