Geraldton boy accused of hitting pedestrian on stolen motorbike in Rangeway granted bail

A Geraldton teenager alleged to have run into a pedestrian while driving a stolen motorbike has been granted bail. Two juvenile boys alleged to have stolen a teenage boy’s bike in a Karloo backyard appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday after being remanded in custody. On Saturday, a 14-year-old and 15-year-old allegedly took part in an aggravated robbery on Saturday with a group of youths. The prosecuting officer told the court on Tuesday, the pair were allegedly part of a group who taunted a 17-year-old before he was “hit with a shovel and rake” and had “rocks thrown at him” during the assault. Outside court, Detective Sen. Sgt Bruce McDonald said the victim was outnumbered and feared for his safety when the motorbike was stolen. He said police will allege later in the afternoon, the 14-year-old accused boy was driving the stolen motorbike when he collided with a 17-year-old pedestrian walking with his eight-year-old sister on Rifle Range Road in Rangeway. “The 17-year-old suffered a broken leg as a result of being hit by the motor bike and was conveyed to Geraldton Regional Hospital for medical treatment,” Det-Sen. Sgt McDonald said. The 15-year-old boy has been charged with aggravated robbery, stealing a motor vehicle and driving without authority and was remanded in custody with bail refused until a later date. Magistrate Angus Hockton said the teen was on bail at the time of the alleged incident and his behaviour breached his bail conditions. “It’s a shame the bike hasn’t been recovered, that causes ongoing loss for someone,” Mr Hockton said. Mr Hockton read a report to the court which said the 14-year-old boy alleged to have hit the pedestrian had multifactual cognitive difficulties from exposure to domestic violence, chemical inhalation and exposure to cannabis smoke. The 14-year-old has been charged with aggravated robbery, stealing a motor vehicle, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and failing to report an incident occasioning bodily harm, and was remanded on bail until July 28 with a curfew from 8pm to 7am.