A family first plan for kids
making, and he has a good relationship with his mother.
He knows a lot of local people will have difficulty accepting his apologies for the offences he has committed, but he says he is sincerely regretful of his former life.
Mr Sinclair- Tseros distanced himself has from criminal friends, something he learned was easier said than done when some of his old mates showed up at his house in a stolen car.
He resisted their peer pressure, stayed inside and out of trouble.
Stronger Communities Action Group co- ordinator Inspector Glenn Doyle said the changes he had seen since meeting Mr SinclairTseros were dramatic.
“Because of his background, he has really been involved in the justice system for a long time and on some very serious matters,” he said.
“To turn around the way he has has taken an incredible effort and some incredible courage.
“If we can have someone who was a prolific offender like Zac and he’s turned his life around, that’s a success story for not only us at Stronger Communities Action Group but the community at large.” NO birth certificate, parents who don’t shop or clean and almost no school attendance – this is the upbringing of many of Townsville’s child criminals.
The Stronger Communities Action Group was established in October 2016 to work with Townsville’s worst youth offenders to steer them away from a life of crime.
Group government co- ordinator Inspector Glenn Doyle said the group had worked with almost 170 criminals and their families, while about 40 received intense assistance.
Support workers often have to teach parents basic life skills such as how to budget, how to shop and how to tidy their home.
“Some of the people we are dealing with have very poor communication skills and we need to coach them on that,” Insp Doyle said.
“Other things are how to maintain a budget to make sure you have enough money, how to arrange the kids for school, what groceries to buy, how to prepare meals and keep your house in a fit state.”
Insp Doyle said many of the children Stronger Communities worked with had health problems and part of the group’s ideal was connecting them with support services to deal with drug or mental health issues or arranging simple medical or dental appointments.
Claire, 16 – not her real name for legal reasons – was a heavy user of ice and cannabis when she started working with Stronger Communities.
She had been introduced to drugs by her mother and was diagnosed with post- traumatic stress disorder and depression.
The group had to source a birth certificate for 12- year- old Anthony ( not his real name) to enrol him in school; identification documents are also being sourced for his family.
Insp Doyle said it would be difficult to create changes for child criminals without working with their families.
“Clearly our focus is on addressing the behaviour of the young person but if we don’t follow through on what’s going on in the household, we won’t make progress,” he said.