Two teenagers from Cairns have been sentenced for a brazen seven-hour crime spree that saw them steal three cars and violently carjack two others, terrorising residents across the city.
A Night of Chaos Across the City
The offences occurred on the night of October 13, 2023, and stretched into the early hours of the following morning. The court heard the pair, who were 16 and 17 years old at the time, embarked on a reckless journey, leaving a trail of damage and fear.
Their spree began with the theft of a Mazda 3 sedan from a Manoora address. Using this stolen vehicle, they travelled to Mooroobool, where they confronted a 23-year-old man who was sitting in his parked Holden Commodore. In a frightening escalation, they threatened the man and forcibly stole his car.
Not content, the teens then drove the stolen Commodore to a service station on the Bruce Highway at Smithfield. There, they approached a 56-year-old man who was refuelling his Toyota LandCruiser. The court was told they assaulted the man and stole his 4WD, abandoning the Commodore at the scene.
Police Pursuit and Dramatic Arrest
The crime wave continued as the pair, now in the powerful LandCruiser, led police on a pursuit. During the chase, they collided with two other vehicles—a Toyota Corolla and a Mitsubishi Triton—causing significant damage. The pursuit came to a dramatic end when the teens crashed the LandCruiser into a fence on Pease Street in Manoora.
Both youths were arrested at the scene. The older teen, now 18, faced additional charges for breaching a probation order related to a previous dangerous operation of a vehicle offence. The younger offender, still 17, had no prior criminal history.
Sentencing and Judicial Remarks
In the Cairns District Court, Judge Anthony Rafter SC handed down the sentences, taking into account their ages, guilty pleas, and backgrounds. The 18-year-old was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with a parole eligibility date set for August 16, 2024. With time already served, he could be released in just over four months.
The 17-year-old received a 12-month conditional release order, avoiding immediate detention. However, Judge Rafter issued a stern warning, stating that if the younger offender breached this order or committed further crimes, he would likely face time in a detention centre.
In his remarks, Judge Rafter condemned the teens' actions, highlighting the profound impact on their victims. "The victims were going about their lawful business when they were set upon by you two," he said. "It would have been a terrifying experience... The community is sick and tired of this type of offending."
The judge emphasised that the spree involved serious violence and threats, putting multiple innocent members of the Cairns community at risk. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such destructive criminal behaviour.
