14-year-old bailed on Carnarvon robbery charges due to lack of parental support with medication regimen

A teen facing 36 charges was granted bail after a Geraldton court was told his behaviour was linked to lapses in medication for ADHD, leaving the magistrate blaming the parents for their lack of support. Magistrate Matthew Walton’s decision to grant bail to the 14-year-old boy came after the Geraldton Children’s Court was told the teenager’s behaviour worsened when he voluntarily stopped taking ADHD medication. Mr Walton said parental support was critical to ensuring compliance with medical treatment. The boy, who has been remanded at Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre since June 4, appeared on 36 charges dating back to October 2023. He was arrested after a spate of robberies and burglaries in Carnarvon. The teen previously pleaded guilty to 27 charges, including stealing a motor vehicle, stealing, aggravated burglary, common assault, trespass, fraud, attempted stealing and traffic offences. He is yet to enter pleas to aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated armed robbery, three counts of aggravated burglary and stealing. The court was told the accused boy tried to steal a mobile phone from a man fishing off a Carnarvon jetty on Sunday, June 2 about 10pm. He allegedly removed a large stick from under his shirt, and chased the fisherman with it as he ran away. Police prosecutor Sen. Const. Thomas Potts said about 5.30pm on Sunday, May 26, the boy allegedly approached a man on the street and asked him for a cigarette. When refused, the court was told the teen allegedly grabbed a tree branch and said “give me your smokes or I’ll hit you”. A Youth Justice spokesperson told the court there was a pattern that suggested the boy failed to control his emotions when he chose to stop taking his medication. Mr Walton said he would not downplay the significance and serious nature of the allegations, but there was a clear connection to his medication. He said it was difficult for a teenager to stick to a regimen without any parental support or guidance. The teen was granted bail to reappear in the Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, July 30.