Juvenile boy, 14, let off with no extra punishment following spate of burglaries and crime around Geraldton

A 14-year-old boy responsible for a string of burglaries across Geraldton over a four-month period has avoided further punishment after he spent time in custody on remand for 32 charges. The teenage boy appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court by video link from Banksia Hill for sentencing on Tuesday after accepting responsibility for an array of burglaries and stealing offences and damage by graffiti after defacing the police station lock-up. He was also charged with endangering life, carrying an article used to cause fear and disorderly behaviour after the boy ran directly at police with glass bottle, throwing it towards police and smashing on the ground near a police car in October. The boy was referred to the Juvenile Justice Team and received no extra punishment for the offences after Magistrate Angus Hockton took into account the boy’s “lengthy” period of time in remand. The boy broke into Northgate Shopping Centre through the roof on February 5 and stole from Telstra and Wendy’s. On February 7, he broke into Bendigo Bank and Pizza Hut Geraldton stealing multiple items and a Hyundai i30 delivery vehicle. The following week, he broke into the Tarcoola Park Tennis Club in Mt Tarcoola and stole cans of alcohol from the fridge valued at $120. In March, the boy stole a handbag and jewellery and tobacco and car keys from two residential properties in Mt Tarcoola. The following month in April, the then-13-year-old broke into Woolworths Seacrest and stole the cash till. Mr Hockton took into account the boy’s “lengthy period of time in remand” and his prior clean record, but said it was concerning the spate of burglaries were spread out over a long period of time. “This is serious offending . . . when you damage property at the school they have to pay for it. That money could go to better use,” he said. Mr Hockton said the boy didn’t seem to show shame for his actions, and the Snapchat videos filmed at the time more so reflected pride. “Hopefully you have learnt your lesson because you have been in remand for a while,” he said. The boy was referred to the Juvenile Justice Team for a range of charges and otherwise received no punishment for the remaining charges. He was bailed for an alleged unlawful assault in circumstances of aggravation on June 16 which he pleaded not guilty to on August 22. He will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court Tuesday, October 10.