By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A 16-year-old boy has faced a children’s court after being allegedly arrested in a stolen car in a “very serious incident” on Clyde Road, Berwick on 29 April.
The boy, who cannot be identified, was taken to hospital after being arrested in the 1988 white Nissan Skyline’s front passenger seat, the court heard.
He was charged with the theft of the Skyline in Narre Warren earlier that night.
He also faced charges including dealing with the proceeds of crime, resisting an emergency worker and committing indictable offences on bail.
At the time, the boy had breached his night curfew as part of his bail, his lawyer conceded.
A magistrate on 30 April asked a Youth Justice worker what had been done to curtail the boy since his last court appearance 10 days earlier.
The boy was lucky to escape injury in the “very serious incident”, the judge said. He also had a significant history before the courts, the judge noted.
“This was inevitable 10 days ago.
“I would like to know since he was before the court what he has been doing every day of the week.”
The boy had failed to appear at his day-program prior to the alleged offending, a Youth Justice worker responded.
He had been due to take his learner’s driving test later this week, she said.
“We thought we were covering all the safe-driving practices, but clearly not enough.”
The boy was receiving rehab for injuries sustained in a serious car crash in March, the court heard.
“He is still lacking foresight of the consequences of road trauma, whether it’s serious injury or death,” the magistrate said.
“The charges before the court are serious when you’re on bail, breaking bail conditions and getting into more trouble.
“I don’t know what the answer is at the moment. (He is) completely disengaged at the moment.”
The boy is believed to have an intellectual disability and Asperger’s Syndrome, and is withdrawing from cannabis use, the court heard.
A co-accused boy faced another children’s court on two counts of assaulting police.
The magistrate said it was unclear from police summaries who was the driver of the alleged stolen car.
The boy was remanded in youth detention to appear at a children’s court on 4 May.
