A 13-year-old girl, accused of using stolen vehicles to target members of her community, has been denied bail by a court.
In a recent hearing, it was revealed that just three minutes after allegedly striking a cyclist with a stolen car, the girl searched online for the legal consequences of hitting someone with a vehicle.
Due to legal restrictions, the teenager’s identity remains undisclosed. She appeared before a children’s court on Monday as she sought bail, facing a total of 109 charges that include reckless conduct endangering serious injury, theft, motor vehicle theft, and burglary.
One notable incident occurred on March 30, when the girl reportedly drove a stolen car in Brighton, located in Melbourne’s southeastern region, and attempted to strike a cyclist using the car’s passenger door. An altercation erupted between the cyclist and the car’s occupants, after which the vehicle allegedly collided with the 45-year-old man, knocking him to the ground.
Authorities examined the girl’s phone and discovered concerning material, including videos. Detective Senior Constable Jarryd Grey testified in court that shortly after the incident, the girl searched for information about the penalties for running someone over. “This is quite alarming… it indicates premeditation,” he stated.
The victim of the incident continues to experience neck pain, dizziness, speech difficulties, and distressing nightmares, which he noted have affected both his and his family’s lives.
The judge characterized the girl as posing an “overwhelming” risk to the community. Evidence presented in court indicated that she sought notoriety and was particularly interested in the media coverage of her alleged offenses on social networks. According to the detective, “She believes it enhances her status among her peers, which is very concerning.”
Additional allegations against the girl include making antisemitic remarks toward pedestrians in Hampton, Ripponlea, and Caulfield, as well as swerving her vehicle toward a Jewish family in Ripponlea in March, forcing them to flee for safety. Detective Grey also mentioned a search on her device for information regarding the residence of Jewish individuals, suggesting a deliberate effort to target that community.
The prosecutor highlighted the severity of the girl’s actions, noting that she has reportedly committed offenses at an alarming rate of approximately 1.45 times per day over the past 74 days. “We have reached a point where a 13-year-old is not only repeatedly driving a stolen vehicle but using it as a weapon, endangering others on the road,” the prosecutor remarked. “She has made it clear that nothing will deter her from her actions.”
The girl’s defense attorney argued for her release on bail, stating that Youth Justice had agreed to supervise her and would notify authorities if she violated any conditions upon release. He also indicated that she is eager to return to school following the holiday break.
However, the magistrate concluded that there was no choice but to deny the girl’s bail. “The risk to the community is overwhelming,” he stated.
The young girl is scheduled to appear in court again in 21 days.
