Serial teen offender accused of ‘thumbing his nose’ at the court after allegedly reoffending while on bail

A Mid West teenager accused of committing numerous offences shortly after moving to Geraldton has been remanded in custody after allegedly reoffending while on bail and “thumbing his nose” at the court. The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court last Monday after he was arrested for allegedly stealing $130 from the Ocean Centre Hotel the day before. He was given bail despite police fears he would reoffend. Three days later, on February 18, he was back in front of Magistrate Chris Miocevich on charges of giving false details to police and escaping lawful custody. Prosecutor Sgt Beau Jones said the teen was picked up by police in breach of his curfew the night before, banging angrily on the window of his ex-girlfriend and refusing to leave. He said the teenager was returned to his accommodation but allegedly left again an hour later and, when spotted by police, officers say he gave them a false name. “He was correctly identified and taken into custody by police,” he said. “He was in the police van and broke free before being arrested again. “He’s thumbing his nose at this court, believing he can do whatever he wants without retribution. “The general community are quite fed up with his behaviour and offending.” Mr Miocevich agreed with Sgt Jones, saying it had now got to the point where the teen was a possible threat to the Geraldton community. “You’ve only been in Geraldton a short time and this is your second time in court,” he said, refusing the boy bail and remanding him in custody at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre. The court was told the teenager had previously been found mentally unfit for trial under mental deficiency laws. He will return to court in March.