Burglar, 12, locked up

A juvenile burglar was taken into custody in Geraldton last week after a magistrate said he had been given “every opportunity to stop offending”. The 12-year-old, who cannot be named to protect his identity, faced the Children’s Court on Thursday, when he admitted aggravated home burglary and stealing from a Spalding home last Tuesday night. Prosecutor Acting Sgt Beau Jones said the homeowner photographed the burglar after finding him behind a car in the backyard. “The accused was identified by police from the image,” he said. Magistrate Chris Miocevich told the boy he was “disappointed” to see him back in court less than a month after he was given a youth conditional release order for another home burglary. “Although you’re very young, this court has given you every opportunity to stop offending,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do that will prevent you from doing further burglaries.” This was the boy’s sixth conviction for burglary in 2020. He is due in court today for sentencing.