Teenager guilty of robbing boy

Tells court detention would be ‘fun’

A TEENAGE robber who stole $15 from a 12-year-old boy was under the impression youth detention would be “fun”, a court was told.

The boy, 14, who cannot be named for legal reasons, chased down the younger boy after they both got off the tram at Nerang St, Southport.

The boy pleaded guilty in the Children’s Court at Southport yesterday to one count of robbery.

He followed the younger boy and then when the boy started to run, chased him to a loading dock near Australia Fair on June 22 last year.

Crown prosecutor Natalie Lima said the boy asked: “Can you please give me your wallet?”

When the younger boy refused, the older teen grabbed him by the collar and threatened to punch him.

The younger boy eventually gave his attacker three $5 notes and was able to run off.

During sentencing, Judge Katherine McGinness asked the boy what his friends said youth detention was like.

“They said it was fun,” the boy said.

Judge McGinness told the boy his friends had been “pretending” and that youth detention was far from fun.

“If you go there you will not be able to do anything,” she said.

Judge McGinness ordered the boy undergo a restorative justice program.

“Your behaviour is not acceptable and you know it is not acceptable,” she said.

Under restorative justice, the offender attends a conference with the victim or their representative where it is explained how the crime affected the victim and the consequences of their actions.

The youth’s barrister Jann Taylor said the teen wanted to say he was sorry.

“He said if it was him he would feel angry,” she said.

Ms Taylor said the boy, who has no criminal history, lives in Logan with his family and hoped to return to school soon.

No conviction was recorded.