Two boys appear in Geraldton court after elderly woman’s car stolen and torched

Two boys aged 12 and 14 have faced Geraldton Children’s Court after they allegedly stole an elderly woman’s car, which was later found torched.

The two were allegedly part of a group of about half-a-dozen boys who broke into the home of an elderly woman on March 7 as she was sleeping and took items worth $360, including her handbag and keys.

The boys then allegedly used the keys to steal the woman’s Subaru hatchback.

The older boy is accused of driving the car to bushland, where it was set on fire and destroyed.

He is also charged with stealing $150 worth of items from another home burglary.

The two appeared in court on Thursday. The younger boy was granted bail while the other was kept in custody.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Paul White opposed bail for the older boy, who he said appeared to have no remorse for the victims of his alleged actions

“It would have been absolutely terrifying if this lady had woken up to this,” he said.

The boy was on curfew for a previous bail at the time of the alleged offence.

“He is supposed to be on a curfew and supposed to have a responsible adult,” Sen. Const. White said.

“We have gotten to the point where detention is the only suitable option.”

Magistrate Angus Hockton said he was not convinced the 14-year old would be in an environment where he would not offend and asked for the boy to reappear in court on March 14 with a new plan on where he would stay on bail.

The 12-year-old boy was granted bail after spending a night in custody. He will appear in court on April 4.