30 August 2022

Teen boys, aged 14 and 13, charged over alleged Gungahlin offences

| Claire Fenwicke
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Three teenage boys were charged in ACT Children’s Court today (30 August) following an investigation into a number of alleged Gungahlin incidents. Photo: File.

Three teenage boys have been charged following an investigation into incidents where a knife was allegedly used in Gungahlin.

The trio – two aged 14 and one aged 13 – were arrested by officers from Gungahlin Station over incidents which allegedly occurred on 19 and 20 August.

It’s believed a group of four people entered the Palmerston IGA at about 7 pm on Friday (19 August) and left the store without paying for alcohol.

Police said when the store owner confronted the group, one of the members pulled out a knife.

Later that evening a man was allegedly confronted by a group of people as he exited his vehicle on Flemington Road, Franklin, at about 11:10 pm. It’s believed one of the group held out a knife towards the man and slashed one of his tyres before the group ran off.

A search of the area by police that night located five people aged 13 and 14 in “varying stages of intoxication”, who were then arrested. Four of the teens were released into the custody of their parents with a fifth taken into custody and charged over offences from July.

A further six teenagers believed to have been involved in the Franklin incident were found on a stationary light rail vehicle in the Gungahlin Town Centre at about 12:10 am on Saturday (20 August).

Two people from this group – a 16-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl – were arrested in connection with the earlier Palmerston robbery, and it’s here police located a knife they believed was used in both earlier incidents.

READ ALSO ‘Don’t crush his spirit’: Lawyer argues for teen behind ‘prolonged, violent and savage’ assault not to receive jail sentence

Following further interviews and investigations, the two 14-year-olds and one 13-year-old fronted ACT Children’s Court today (Tuesday, 20 August) to be charged over the alleged incidents.

The 13-year-old boy was charged with aggravated burglary and joint commission of minor theft.

One of the 14-year-old boys was charged with aggravated robbery in company, knowingly committing aggravated burglary, property damage, possession of an offensive weapon with intent, possession of a knife without a reasonable excuse, and two counts of joint commission of minor theft.

The other 14-year-old boy was charged with aggravated robbery in company, aggravated burglary, aiding and abetting property damage, unlawfully trespassing on premises, resisting a territory public official, being knowingly concerned in property damage, being knowingly concerned in commission of an offence with an offensive weapon, and two counts of joint commission of minor theft.

Anyone who witnessed the incidents, or any other antisocial behaviour involving young people in the Gungahlin district that night, has been urged to contact CrimeStoppers ACT on 1800 333 000, quoting reference number 7201512.

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Greens want to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14, which would allow teenage “gangstas” to run amok.

Brett Lynden Everingham10:52 pm 16 Oct 22

14 year old Teenagers so called They were grown men at the age of 14, , 16 Secondary Education Years 8 and 10 What’s The problem with being in School UNTIL School Certificate or Higher School Certificate 18 years old?? Somethings VERY VERY WRONG in this age of 2022 IF THEY aren’t Enjoying SCHOOL?

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