A 15-year-old boy, already known to authorities for a string of offences, has appeared before a Townsville court after allegedly trying to rob a local service station.
Details of the Alleged Attempted Robbery
The incident unfolded on the evening of Monday, April 8, at a service station located on Duckworth Street in Garbutt. According to police facts presented to the Townsville Children's Court, the teenage boy entered the store and approached the counter.
He allegedly demanded cash from the attendant, but fled the premises empty-handed when his demand was not met. The court heard that the boy was arrested a short time later by police officers who responded to the scene.
A History of Offences and Court Proceedings
The court was informed that the youth has what was described as a significant criminal history for a child of his age. This history includes prior charges related to property and theft.
When the matter was called before the court on Wednesday, April 10, the boy was not required to enter a plea. The case was officially adjourned until a later date in May to allow time for the prosecution to compile and serve the necessary brief of evidence to the defence.
Magistrate Ross Mack presided over the brief hearing. Given the nature of the alleged offence and the boy's prior record, the question of bail was a key consideration.
Bail Granted with Strict Conditions
Despite the seriousness of the charge and his history, the magistrate decided to grant the 15-year-old bail. However, this decision came with a set of stringent conditions designed to monitor his behaviour and address underlying issues.
The bail conditions imposed by the court include:
- Residing at a specified address.
- Adhering to a strict nightly curfew.
- Reporting regularly to the police.
- Attending all scheduled appointments with Youth Justice services.
These conditions are intended to provide structure and supervision while the legal process continues. The matter will return to the Townsville Children's Court in May for further mention.
The case highlights ongoing concerns in the community regarding repeat juvenile offending and the challenges faced by the justice system in balancing rehabilitation with community safety. The court's approach of granting bail with intensive conditions reflects an attempt to steer young offenders away from further crime while ensuring they are held accountable.
