A 17-year-old girl has been remanded in detention following a high-speed police pursuit through Ipswich Motorway.
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The Ipswich Magistrates Court heard that police deployed tyre spikes on the Cunningham Highway, forcing the girl and her 14-year-old passenger to abandon the vehicle and attempt to flee on foot.
Acting Magistrate Rob Turra said the girl drove “extraordinarily dangerously” onto the wrong side of the motorway and reversed down an off-ramp “in an attempt to avoid police” before being intercepted.
Extensive Criminal History Raises Concerns
The girl, who was on probation for similar offenses, has a 13-page criminal history, including armed robbery, unlawful use of vehicles, and entering dwellings.
Authorities believe that the girl “simply will not stop offending,” despite being given multiple opportunities through restorative justice orders and other court sentences.
Her 14-year-old co-accused, who was arrested alongside her, was granted bail because of his limited criminal history.
However, the court rejected the girl’s bail application. The girl’s lawyer argued for stringent conditions, including a curfew and an ankle monitor, noting the girl’s employment, aspirations to become a youth worker, and plans to complete grade 12 in Ipswich by 2025.
Despite this, Mr Turra ruled that no bail conditions could sufficiently protect the community, stating that the girl’s behaviour was extraordinarily risky and put herself, her passenger, and the community at significant risk.
The girl has been remanded in detention and is charged with offenses including dangerous operation of a vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. Her case will be mentioned again on January 13.
Youth Crime and Tougher Laws in Queensland
Youth crime continues to be a growing concern in Queensland, prompting the state to pass new tough youth justice laws in Parliament. These laws aim to address the increasing number of young offenders by focusing on prevention, intervention, and detention.
The new laws emphasize prevention and intervention strategies, offering wraparound services to prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system. Detention remains an option but is used strategically to maintain community safety and confidence.
In addition to these strategies, authorities are planning to introduce the controversial “adult crime, adult time” policy. Under this policy, juveniles charged with serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, and burglary will need to face tougher maximum sentences.
The new laws would eliminate the principle of “detention as a last resort” and would enable courts to consider the offender’s entire criminal history during sentencing. Young offenders found guilty of murder will be sentenced to a mandatory life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years.
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As these laws take effect, the state hopes to reduce youth crime while balancing the need for rehabilitation with the importance of ensuring community safety.
Published 2-January-2025
