Little boy allegedly terrorising workers

A BOY in state care alleged to have threatened a Lake St store owner with a knife has been the subject of a ministerial intervention request.

Anti-crime campaigner Erryn “Ezzy” Wells claims the nine-year-old boy threatened her with a knife after his mates were arrested for allegedly breaking into the Adventure Cairns and Beyond travel agency before stealing the cash register on Wednesday evening.

Opposition police spokesman Dale Last has written to Child Safety Minister Leanne Linard about the boy and now a Raintrees Shopping Centre worker has spoken up.

TSG Tobacco employee Clinton Bailey, who regularly works at the Raintrees outlet, said the boy was well known to staff at the Manunda shopping centre.

And on Tuesday, frustration stemming from alleged theft, arson and knife threats led to a citizen intervention.

“He was (allegedly) in Woolies ripping stuff off. I’m sick of all the little s--ts stealing,” Mr Bailey said.

“I went to grab him and he said he had a knife so I grabbed him by the back of the shirt.

“And I dragged him out or escorted him out.”

Mr Bailey said the Raintrees security guard had made a formal complaint to police but no charges have been laid in relation to the boy’s removal.

The retail worker said staff of the boy’s residential care home often quizzed shopping centre staff after he absconded from resi care.

“His carers come up and ask if we have seen him,” he said.

“For the last eight months he has (allegedly) been walking through the centre with knives and he has tried to set Woolworths on fire.”

It’s understood police are wary of charging the boy due to him being on the cusp of criminal responsibility, currently set at 10 years old in Queensland.

“It is simply unacceptable that business owners are being threatened and incurring huge financial costs due to the actions of one nine-year-old old,” Mr Last said.

HE WAS (ALLEGEDLY) IN WOOLIES RIPPING STUFF OFF. I’M SICK OF ALL THE LITTLE S--TS STEALING.

CLINTON BAILEY