Girl faces court for carjacking
A 15-YEAR-OLD girl on probation for seriously assaulting a police officer was back in court yesterday after she allegedly found another victim.
This time, police said, the victim was a defenceless 21-year-old woman walking to her car in Rockhampton's Aquatic Place car park at 6.20pm on Wednesday.
Police believe the girl and her 16-year-old female friend attacked the woman and stole her green Mazda.
For the first time during his sittings, Magistrate Barry Cosgrove opened the Children's Court for the media to report on the shocking offences.
He was the magistrate who earlier this month sentenced the younger girl to 150 hours community service and probation after her attack on the police officer.
Police prosecutor Karen Dunham said the girls dragged the woman to the ground by her hair, struck her, then screamed at her.
Ms Dunham said one of the girls yelled: "give me your keys, my mum is dying in hospital," before they stole the keys and drove off.
The girls' solicitor, Shayne Studdert, told the court the younger girl said she did not pull the woman's hair.
A youth worker said the young girl had been engaging well with youth justice officers. But with three pages of criminal history and 38 property and assault offences racked up, Ms Dunham said it appeared the 15-year-old's offences were becoming more violent.
The girls both faced charges of robbery in company with violence and unlawful use of a motor vehicle relating to the carjacking.
Ms Dunham said the pair drove to a house, picked up three male teenagers and drove to Brisbane, where they allegedly stole glue from a Chermside store.
The 15-year-old girl pleaded guilty to stealing. One of the boys, a 16-year-old, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing, in court yesterday.
Ms Dunham said he was sent to detention last year after being convicted of a violent offence in the higher court.
She said the three juveniles were all substance abusers and had at times used paint, glue, drugs and alcohol.
A youth worker said the 16-year-old boy suffered from anger and depression.
Despite the teen's guilty plea, Mr Cosgrove asked for a pre-sentence report and adjourned the matter until July 24.
Mr Cosgrove refused bail for the 15-year-old girl for the safety of the community. He said her conduct appeared to be getting worse.
"That would have been a terrifying event for that person."
The 16-year-old girl was also charged with stealing glue, another theft earlier this month and an act of graffiti in May. She did not apply for bail.
Both girls' offences will be dealt with on July 24. One of the other boys, an 18-year-old, will appear in court on July 13.
