By Luke Voogt
A boy breached bail 13 times before assaulting an 80-year-old Whittington man, police have alleged.
The 15-year-old also allegedly assaulted arresting police despite his bail conditions, said Youth Tasking Unit Sergeant David Magher.
The incident demonstrated the bail system was “letting Geelong down” by putting youth offenders back on the streets, Sgt Magher said.
“It’s a frustrating to come into work each day and hear what’s happened again last night. I shake my head and think ‘that wouldn’t have happened those kids weren’t out on bail’.”
Courts often bailed youth offenders despite police saying they were unacceptable risks, Sgt Magher said.
“As police we’ve got a responsibility to keep the community safe.
“If they commit further offences or breach their bail we have to arrest them again and more innocent people get hurt.”
Police sometimes opposed bail because alleged offenders were “a risk to themselves”, Sgt Magher said.
“But my concern is mainly for the public, the innocent people that get caught up in those situations.
“People like that 80-year-old on Friday night would not be at risk if those kids weren’t out on the street.”
Victoria’s only Youth Tasking Unit processed 400 offenders in the Geelong region last year, Sgt Magher said.
A minority of repeat offenders committed most of the offences, he said.
Geelong had the most Department of Human Services facilities in Victoria and police were working with other agencies to prevent teen crime, Sgt Magher said.
“Some recidivist offenders are going to be adult offenders, you can’t start stop that, but we’re working really hard to make sure this doesn’t happen in most cases.”
Geelong Youth Tasking Unit arrested the 15-year-old boy on Tuesday after he allegedly hit the 80-year-old with a hockey stick last Friday night.
Police charged the boy with assault, assaulting police and the 13 bail breaches times.
Police alleged he kicked a female police officer in the stomach and legs during his arrest, forcing officers to use capsicum spray.
The boy was remanded to appear in Children’s Court again later this month.
Police also arrested other alleged offenders over Tuesday’s incident, including a 22-year-old Whittington man.
Indy readers vented their frustration last week after a 16-year-old boy was bailed despite allegedly stabbing a woman during an attempted robbery in a Torquay car park.
Readers posted criticisms of the legal system and praise for the efforts of police under a Facebook link to the story.
Detectives charged the boy with attempted car-jacking, intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault.
