A 14-year-old boy has been refused bail over a car theft in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, which left a grey nomad in an induced coma.
The ABC reports that police allege the boy, who cannot be identified due to his age, stole a ute which was connected to a caravan parked at the Shell service station in Halls Creek.
It is alleged the 14-year-old drove off while the 76-year-old South Australian man was checking the safety of his caravan.
The man sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown to Royal Darwin Hospital by the Royal Flying Doctor Service on Saturday afternoon.
The ABC reports that police arrested and charged the teenager early on Sunday morning with one count of stealing a motor vehicle and one count of grievous bodily harm when stealing a motor vehicle.
Crime has been an issue in Halls Creek. PIC: WA Police
Police prosecutor Darren Clifton told the Halls Creek Children’s Court that the teenager had been nearby on an electric scooter when he saw the parked vehicle with the door open and the keys left in the ignition.
The ABC reports that the vehicle’s owner, who was on a six-month holiday around Australia with his wife, was conducting a safety check while his partner was inside the petrol station.
Sergeant Clifton told the court the man was dragged along the bitumen before the caravan ran over his chest.
He said the teenager then drove into bushland, ‘rendering the vehicle undriveable’.
Sergeant said the 76-year-old’s condition remained “very, very grave”.
The 14-year-old was remanded in custody to appear in the Kununurra Children’s Court in September.
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This is becoming to common in remote areas never drop your guard when traveling as we done 6.5 years on the road and you see so many caravan people not lock the pride and possession up it doesn’t matter who they are it’s something you hear about all the time not like the good old days Australia is definitely changing
you are spot on with that comment.Lot of things changed NOT FOR THE BEST
Absolutely agree!
I take it you haven’t been to the Kimberley mate, it’s been this way for the last 100 years, if anything it’s better than it used to be.
Having this one locked up will prevent many other crimes. It is the same children doing the crimes and the police know who they are but cannot prevent it. Sadly all of the same group get saddled with the blame and that is not the case. Always look around and lock both car and van all the time. Prevention reduces opportunities.
EVEN if you only WALK a few metres/ feet away. just the other day, i heard, this old guy pulled into a sirvo, to get fuel, while he was filling up, this kid jumped into his car & TRIED to drive off
This is a tragedy for the victim, his wife, family and friends. I find it interesting that it’s become so common that we’re now blaming the victims rather than the perpetrators. I remember a time when no-one locked their homes, let alone their cars. A time when people felt safe everywhere. That’s what we should be aiming for, not locking ourselves in our fortress homes and locking everything up.
They were the GOOD OLD DAYS
You are so right Les. I think it’s time we took our citizens rights to freedoms back and treated ALL criminals as CRIMINALS.
We carry enough fuel in jerry cans to bypass both Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing. Not taking chances.
Lot of problems up there,never reach the media,
Lance,got the best idea.
When are we going to actually blame the ones who do the crime and jail them. Age shouldn’t make any difference. No the poor little souls have had a hard life, so say the bleeding hearts. When it happens to them they soon change their tune.
Well said. Its time to stop this and come down hard on them. They want respect and so on. Well they have lost mine. I grew up without a dad and have had to struggle but you dont see me acting in this manner. Name them.