Geraldton teen car thief pleads guilty to stealing four vehicles, granted bail

A 16-year old Geraldton boy who stole four vehicles — including the cars of a holidaying family who were left stranded and a pizza delivery driver — has pleaded guilty to all charges and been granted bail. The teenager pleaded guilty to a total of 14 charges when he appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, which also included driving without authority, attempting to drive away from police when ordered to stop, stealing and failing to appear in court. On January 7, the teenager stole a Volkswagen Amarok, belonging to the Jones family who had driven from Victoria to Geraldton for a visit. The car was was later found torched. The family were left stranded before being helped by a good Samaritan who let them borrow a car to drive themselves and their caravan back to Victoria. On the same day the boy also stole a Suzuki Scooter which he set fire to. On January 29 he stole a Toyota Camry, and on February 3 stole a Honda Civic from a pizza delivery driver, using a metal picket to threaten the driver. On February 3 he also drove in a reckless manner, attempting to drive away from police who were ordering him to stop. The boy’s lawyer Fintan Roberts said he had already spent three weeks in Banksia Juvenile Detention Centre, which was his first time in custody, and asked Magistrate Angus Hockton to give him the chance to prove he could stay out of trouble in the community. Mr Roberts requested a psychological report of the boy be completed before sentencing, stating he may have mental health issues. Police prosecutor Sergeant Dean Solman opposed bail, stating there was a “grave risk” the teenager would reoffend. Mr Hockton decided to grant bail and told the boy he needed to attend school and stay out of trouble to avoid more time in Banksia. “Detention is a sentence of last resort, and you’ve had a taste of it now,” he said. The boy was given bail with a 24-hour curfew, unless going to school, with his mother or following the instructions of youth justice services. He will reappear in court on April 11.