Geraldton teenager given a final warning after second strike for home burglaries

A Geraldton teenager has been issued a final warning after previously pleading guilty to aggravated home burglary.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, appeared before Geraldton Children’s Court via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre on Tuesday.

He has already spent time in custody for a burglary at a Beachlands property with seven other people and stealing more than $200 worth of goods. No one was home at the time of the burglary.

Lawyer Yassamin Olson told the court the boy had neurological issues and past traumas which made him vulnerable to peer pressure.

The boy denied grabbing anything or taking part in smashing a window during the burglary.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul White was not convinced that another supervision order would result in any changes.

He explained to the court the boy had breached his previous order only a month after receiving it and recommended detention.

Magistrate Angus Hockton outlined how serious the burglary was and the impact it had on the homeowners.

“Whoever’s home that is, it doesn’t feel the same to them anymore,” he said.

Mr Hockton reminded the boy he was already on two strikes and a third would result in a compulsory 12-month term of detention.

“If you have any friends that say ‘let’s do a home burglary’, you have to think,” he said.

Mr Hockton acknowledged the boy’s circumstances with trauma and that his previous offences came due to unmet welfare needs and decided to place him on a nine-month intensive youth supervision order.

He will appear in court again on April 18 on other charges, including separate home burglary allegations.