Geraldton 15-year-old boy with 239 convictions has sentencing delayed in ‘unorthodox’ move by magistrate

A Geraldton magistrate has made an “unorthodox” decision to put off sentencing a 15-year-old boy — dubbed one of WA’s most prolific offenders with 239 convictions against his name — to avoid imposing a mandatory jail term. The magistrate’s move to put off sentencing was “strongly opposed” by police prosecutors. The Spalding teenager appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court from Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre last week, where he was set to be sentenced for nine offences committed after being released from detention on a supervised release order. Police prosecutor Sgt Ross Gray told the court that the teenager was one of “WA’s most prolific offenders” with 239 criminal convictions. The boy has spent more than 500 days in custody since April 2022, with some of that time in Unit 18, a wing established for juveniles at maximum-security adult jail Casuarina Prison. Defence lawyer Veronica Randall conceded that the 15-year-old “was once one of the highest-end juvenile offenders in detention” but had found stability in his life. She said that the boy had moved away from negative peers and found a grounding with his girlfriend, who was a positive influence. The court was told that the teenager was in a third-strike position, so the only sentencing option was the mandatory 12-month detention. He was guilty of aggravated burglary, two counts of burglary, possession of a disguise, two counts of trespass and three counts of stealing that happened Mt Tarcoola, Bluff Point and Wandina between October 2023 and May 2024. Magistrate Kelly Thompson put off sentencing to allow the 15-year-old to be released on an SRO, opening the door to other sentencing options. Ms Thompson said it was an “unorthodox” decision but 500 days in custody was “such a significant” length of time for any juvenile. Sgt Gray said police were “strongly opposed to any adjournment for sentencing”. “Sentencing should be received today and should be on the basis of mandatory imprisonment,” he said. The matter was adjourned until August 20, with the boy to remain in custody until he was deemed suitable for early release or finished his sentence.