Albany teen charged with grievous bodily harm sent to juvenile detention after physical altercation on bail

A 17-year-old Albany boy who was charged with grievous bodily harm after an alleged unprovoked assault on York Street last month has been arrested after another physical altercation. The teenager, who was 16 at the time, was arrested for breaching his bail conditions after he was found roaming the streets late at night, under the influence of alcohol. The breaches happened on two consecutive nights, with the boy pleading guilty to both offences. Last Friday, police prosecutor Dave Loverock told Albany Children’s Court the teenager was issued a move-on notice about 12.30am on December 12, after a physical altercation on Stirling Terrace. At the time, the officers were not aware of his bail conditions. About 12.50am on December 13, police found the boy near Stirling Terrace under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and spent five days in custody at Banksia Hill Detention Centre. Defence counsel Janie Gibbs said he had learnt his lesson. “He said he was being silly, had a couple sips of alcohol and went out for a stroll by himself,” she said. But Sgt Loverock said police opposed bail. The teenager previously faced court for the GBH charge and was released on protective bail conditions, including a 24-hour curfew. “Less than two weeks later he has breached them. It shows he has no regard for court orders,” Sgt Loverock said. Magistrate Raelene Johnston said the stint in detention served as punishment. “It sounds like you are still going out as you please and it’s entirely inappropriate,” she said. “If you don’t follow your curfew, I will have no hesitation to send you back.”