BIG BIKKIES UP IN SMOKE

This teenager and a mate are accused of raiding a pensioner’s biscuit tin of $50,000 and spending it on booze and drugs ... this is what he thinks

A TEENAGER who allegedly blew $12,000 of an elderly pensioner’s life savings in a fourday booze and drug binge has been granted bail.

Jahlil Oxenford Pryce, 17 (left) allegedly took ice for three days to stay awake so he could hide from detectives hunting him, while splashing cash stolen from 77-year-old Woree woman Carmela Berizia.

He smiled, laughed and made obscene gestures as he walked from the Cairns watch house yesterday following his successful bail bid in the Cairns Magistrates Court.

He and co-accused Robert Anthony Pilot, 21, have both pleaded guilty to receiving tainted property.

But they have denied their involvement in the September 23 burglary of Mrs Berizia’s Sondrio St home where around $50,000 cash was stolen from a biscuit tin.

Mrs Berizia said the incident had been “very upsetting”.

“I had put it (money) away for a rainy day,” she said.

“It’s a little scary. I don’t know what is going to happen now.”

Mr Pilot was remanded in custody after the court heard he was on a return to prison warrant.

Magistrate Robert Spencer said Mr Pryce had a “terrible, terrible” 13-page criminal history.

He said he was granting bail “reluctantly” but was concerned he may not receive jail time when eventually sentenced.

“It seems to me he doesn’t understand if he doesn’t stop offending he’s going to spend a significant amount of time in custody,” he said.

Police lodged a six-page objection to his bail, which was tendered in court, where they raised concerns over his risk of reoffending, failing to appear, endangering public safety and interfering with witnesses.

They said Mr Pryce had been smoking cones at a friend’s Sondrio St residence that day and had met another male friend in the street who had given him up to $12,000 cash.

“The defendant … spent the money on alcohol and drugs,” they said.

“At the time of his arrest the defendant … had been smoking ice for three days to stay awake in order to avoid the police.”

Police have alleged the pair were dobbed in by a juvenile girl who was told to act as lookout during the burglary.

“After the record of interview the defendant made the comment to investigating officers that he would get his sisters to bash the juvenile female who is a witness in this matter,” the court document said.

Police have also raised concerns Mr Pryce occasionally stays at a residence across the street from the victim.

“The victim to this offence is an elderly member of the Cairns community who resides on her own at the offence location,” they said.

“The victim has lost her life savings as a result of this offence. The victim will now rely on family support to continue her simple lifestyle in her senior years.”

The two offenders’ cases were adjourned until next month.