Queensland Police have reported that one of the teenagers implicated in the alleged carjacking and subsequent death of a Brisbane man has been granted bail. The 15-year-old boy, who was initially charged with various offenses including robbery and grievous bodily harm, saw the charges escalated to murder following the man’s death in August.
During a recent hearing at the Childrens Court of Queensland in Brisbane, the judge ruled that the teenager could be released under strict conditions, which include wearing an ankle monitor and adhering to a 24-hour curfew.
The incident in question occurred in July, when the police detained the 15-year-old alongside six other minors aged 14 to 17. They are accused of engaging in a violent attack on a 27-year-old man in Kelvin Grove. Reports indicate that the group forcibly removed the man from his vehicle, assaulted him, and subsequently stole his ute. The man was allegedly run over while attempting to prevent their escape.
Initially facing charges of robbery in company and grievous bodily harm, the charges were upgraded to murder after the victim’s passing. At the bail hearing, the court was informed that the attack had been premeditated, and video evidence had been reviewed during a previous session.
Judge Anthony Rafter acknowledged that the footage provided “fairly compelling evidence,” as it depicted the teenager participating in the assault. However, defense attorney Ria Ku contended that her client did not engage in any prior planning to target the man and was positioned in the rear passenger seat at the time of the incident. She emphasized that the primary legal question for the trial would focus on the extent of the teenager’s involvement.
While admitting that the recordings showed participation in the assault, Ku clarified that this did not imply he was the one driving the vehicle. She argued that her client initially aimed to assist, but the situation escalated unexpectedly.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Greg Cummings elaborated that a remark suggesting the group intended to “bash a paedophile” was made prior to the attack, but he asserted that the video evidence contradicted this claim, indicating the assault appeared to be unprovoked and solely aimed at theft.
The court was informed that an autopsy report is still pending, which complicates the ability to definitively link the victim’s death to the earlier assault or the act of being thrown from the ute. Cummings noted that without this report, it remains unclear if the injuries sustained during the assault directly resulted in the man’s death.
The 15-year-old, a citizen of New Zealand with no prior criminal record, had his mother offer a $40,000 surety for his release. Judge Rafter remarked that while the evidence suggested the teenager was actively involved in a serious and violent assault, the prosecution’s case for murder or manslaughter lacked sufficient substance in light of the missing autopsy report.
Ultimately, the judge permitted the teenager’s release under strict conditions, which prohibit him from leaving his home without being accompanied by a parent or a representative from the Department of Youth Justice. He is also barred from contacting his co-accused or any witnesses related to the case.
