Hopes remote community release will set Kimberley teen with 14-page rap sheet on path to fulfilling life

A mentally impaired Kimberley teenager with the criminal record of a “big offender twice his age” has been unconditionally released from five charges, to reside in One Arm Point Community. The 14-year-old appeared in Broome Children’s Court on Friday, December 10, charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, escaping lawful custody, and stealing two motor vehicles. The court was told the boy was unfit to plead to the offences, which occurred on September 12 and 13, because of a mental impairment. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt told the court the boy would be “unlikely to be fit to plead for a long time.” “Of all the children in the East Kimberley, he is one of the most seriously affected mentally,” he said. But the court heard WA Police evidence against the boy was strong, with the incidents involving rock-throwing, stealing bikes, escaping from lock-up and stealing motor vehicles. Mr Sharratt told the court the boy had a 14-page criminal history, which included three armed robberies, 17 burglaries, five stealing motor vehicle offences, and reckless driving among other convictions. “He’s got the record of a big offender twice his age,” he said. Mr Sharratt said he had let the boy out many times, only for the youngster to wind up re-offending. “That’s what’s happened for 12 pages, and I’ve had enough of it,” he said. “I’m not going to let the people of Broome put up with all this.” A WA Police prosecutor told the court the main concern was the safety of the community, as one of the juvenile’s most serious offences involved assaulting a victim, before grabbing his property and the keys to his vehicle. “Our concern is ensuring he doesn’t re-offend or bring anyone else into danger with his actions,” the police prosecutor said. Defence lawyer Paul Tobin told the court the boy was in Derby before the offending occurred, and came to Broome for a funeral, where he mixed with the wrong crowd. Mr Tobin said the boy had not been to school in a few years, but had been involved with the Youth Engagement Program team. “In the right hands, he is OK,” he said. An application was made for the boy to reside in the One Arm Point Community with a relative, with the Kimberley Engagement team stating the boy could be enrolled in One Arm Point Community School at the start of next year. The court was told if the boy were to live in Broome, the potential home offered up would not be a suitable or stable environment for a child. “The house in Broome is overcrowded with other family and a drinking mob,” Mr Tobin said. Mr Sharratt took a moment to consider the proposal, ultimately deciding a remote placement would be in the best interest of the boy, and the most likely option to encourage him to cease re-offending. The boy was unconditionally released from the five charges and was instructed to reside at the One Arm Point Community. “We want to assist him to not offend again... if he is managed, he can lead a fulfilling life,” Mr Sharratt said. “There is hope for him yet.”