A teenager has pleaded guilty to a number of aggravated burglaries and thefts and said he has intentions of continuing to make positive changes in his life.
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The 14-year-old, who The Courier cannot name, appeared a Children's Court on Friday.
The majority of the charges related to offending committed with two older co-accused on July 7, 2020.
The court heard the three teenagers broke into a car in Delacombe and stole a purse before travelling to Lake Gardens where they stole a purse from another car parked in a driveway.
The police prosecutor said they entered a Lake Gardens house in the early hours of the morning while the victim was asleep inside, took the keys to a BMW in the garage, attempted to reverse it out of the garage and hit another car.
The aggravated burglary was committed while on bail.
The court heard the teenager and the two co-accused stole a car parked at BUPA in Alfredton and drove it to Begonia City Motor Inn where they were later arrested.
Other offending was committed in April when the accused and two co-offenders stole an antique motorcycle from a shed, pushed it from the property and dumped it in a creek.
The court heard they attempted to gain entry to another house nearby but were not successful.
The teenager was also charged with stealing sunglasses from OPSM in Central Square in May.
A defence lawyer said the best way forward for the boy was to resolve these matters and support his goal to continue making good progress.
A youth justice report provided to the court recommended the teenager continue on a further probation order.
The defence lawyer said the accused had suffered 'enormous tragedy' in his life and now had a large number of supports in place. He said the teenager had made great progress on the probation order, was of a young age and asked for his punishment not to be increased.
"The report says he has made some good choices and is setting goals," he said.
"Because he is doing well this is a case to keep him on a probation order rather than a more substantive order."
The magistrate said he accepted that submission and would impose a further 12-month probation order.
"This is very serious criminal conduct at ages 13 and 14 by you," the magistrate said.
"It is the sort of conduct that if it continues without improvement, you will spend more time in jail than not.
"Having said that, there are a lot of things that suggest to me you are much better than that and you can make much more of your youth than crime and jails.
"I expect you not to trash this opportunity.... Keep using those people who are trying to help you."
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
