Magistrate slams “responsible adult” after 15-year-old boy spends night in custody for breaching bail

A magistrate has called on responsible adults to do better after a 15-year-old spent the night in custody for breaching his bail.

The 15-year-old boy appeared in Geraldton Children’s Court on Wednesday after he failed to appear in Carnarvon Children’s Court on Monday.

The court heard the boy was staying with his sister in Geraldton and was arrested on Tuesday night.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Beau Jones said the address was not suitable due to problems between the boy’s sister and her partner.

The boy’s lawyer said he had been living in Geraldton for the past three months and had no way of getting back to Carnarvon for his court hearing.

However, she said he wanted to go back to Carnarvon to live with his grandmother and was looking for a lift.

When asked if he had attended school, the boy said he had not been this year but planned to re-enrol.

Magistrate Richard Huston said the boy would continue to fall behind in his education and this could lead to further offending.

“You’re not getting the support a 15-year-old needs,” he said.

“Where is your responsible adult? They have left you here and you’ve been picked up through no fault of your own.”

The court was told the boy’s mother had gone to Perth to organise a new house for the family.

“What changes if I grant him bail again?” Mr Huston said.

Despite these reservations, Mr Huston agreed to grant the boy bail to go back to Carnarvon and live with his grandmother.

He is scheduled to reappear in Carnarvon Children’s Court on Monday.