Green Street Deli owner allegedly assaulted with wooden stake after accused kid steals jar of lollies

A Spalding deli owner has spoken out after two teenage boys allegedly stole a big jar of lollies and then attacked him with a wooden stake when he followed them. Two boys, aged 15 and 14, were arrested and kept in custody overnight until they appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Friday. Police prosecutor Sgt Paul White told the court that about 11.30am on Thursday, the accused pair entered Green Street Deli on Lawley Street, Spalding. The 14-year-old boy is alleged to have stolen a big jar of confectionery before running out of the store. The court was told a staff member followed the boys outside when a physical altercation occurred. The younger teenager allegedly picked up a wooden stake and swung at the man multiple times, hitting him once. A 15-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and being armed. He pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm, but did not enter a plea to being armed. Defence counsel Veronica Randall said the older boy had been filming the alleged incident and was not involved in the assault. She also told the court he did not know his co-accused planned to steal from the store. A 14-year-old was charged with stealing, being armed and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm. He did not enter pleas. Both teenagers were granted bail and are not allowed to be within 20 metres of the deli. They are next due in court on Tuesday. Outside court, Green Street Deli owner SokChhay Van said he always helped out those in need, particularly when kids could not afford soft drinks or lollies, but large thefts were not acceptable. “I don’t want any trouble, I’m just a family business and want to be peaceful ... everyone in the neighbourhood knows me, only bad things happen when new a person moves in,” he said. The deli is a family-run business, serving up popular Cambodian and Vietnamese inspired takeaway dishes. “I just can’t sit down, it’s twice in two days,” he said. “It’s not big money, but if you don’t do anything they keep doing it. “If I don’t act, it’s going to be a problem anyway. “A lot of people just walk out and you can’t do anything about it. I don’t want to waste police time.”