Bail conditions for Geraldton boy accused of throwing rocks at cops during foot chase relaxed due to ‘boredom’

A 13-year-old boy accused of throwing rocks at cars and running from police, jumping on water tanks and launching rocks at officers has been granted more lenient bail because he is prone to boredom. The boy faced court on Thursday charged with stealing a motor vehicle, criminal damage by fire, passenger did not wear seatbelt properly adjusted and securely fastened, caused fear with object or substance to people in conveyances or others and attempted escape from lawful custody, which are alleged to have been committed while he was on bail for other charges. The 13-year-old also faces two counts of attempted aggravated burglary, two counts of steal motor vehicle, four counts of stealing, five counts of aggravated burglary and commit, no authority to drive, drive recklessly, attempted stealing, two counts of driver failed to stop, two counts of never held driver’s licence and reckless driving to escape police pursuit. He is yet to enter pleas. The court was told police saw the 13-year-old launching rocks at vehicles on Howes Street in Utakarra. When the boy was approached by officers, he allegedly ran away and climbed a water tank. Prosecuting Sgt Ross Gray said when police asked him to climb down, he allegedly jumped across water tanks, taking a limestone rock and launching it at cars driving by, as well as officers. The 13-year-old is also accused of not wearing a seatbelt while a passenger in a car stolen from a house on Tuart Street on Monday, May 27. The car was torched at a park in Utakarra. The court heard his mother had not seen him for two days while he was on bail conditions to stay at home 24-7 unless in her company. Defence counsel Eva Svanberg said the 13-year-old found the curfew very hard because his mother rarely left the house. She said he could comply with conditions if he could leave the house with other family members. Sgt Gray opposed bail, saying the community needed to be protected. Granting bail, Magistrate Kelly Thompson said the boy was allegedly breaching bail to “relieve boredom”. His conditions were relaxed, allowing him to leave his address if in the company of his mother, aunty or older brother. He is scheduled to reappear in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, June 4.