Burglaries land boy with curfew despite his plea

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy involved in a string of burglaries in Toowoomba has been placed on a curfew while on bail.

The boy, who as a juvenile cannot be named, appeared in custody before the city’s Children’s Court yesterday to plead guilty to a string of offences.

The court heard he had been running around with three older teenagers, one 17, who were known to the same court.

Among the offences to which the lad pleaded guilty were three burglaries of homes in Barlow St and Beechcraft Crt earlier this month, from which a range of property, including jewellery, iPods and alcohol, was stolen.

From the dock, the boy told Magistrate Kay Ryan though he was with others during the burglaries he hadn’t stolen the alcohol.

“The others took it, I don’t drink,” he said.

He also admitted to wilful damage of windows at Wilsonton State School in January and windows of buildings in Jellicoe and Willow Sts, North Toowoomba; twice being found riding bicycles that had been reported stolen; and breaking into the Community Learning Centre in Toowoomba and stealing an Xbox and games.

His solicitor, Dan Habermann, said the boy’s mother was in court and she intended taking her son to reside outside Toowoomba so she could get him away from his older peers.

Ms Ryan said it would be better if the boy met with the Elders before coming back to court for sentence on all offences.

She remanded the boy on bail, with conditions including abiding by a nightly curfew from 7pm–7am and having no contact with his co-accused, the names of whom were read out in court.

The boy will meet with the Elders on April 8 before returning to the Children’s Court for sentencing on April 17.