NEWS
Two brothers in crime
‘Vulnerable’ boy refused bail at 14 By Cam Lucadou-Wells An allegedly violent but "vulnerable" 14-yearold living in state care has been refused bail in a children's court. With an extremely low IQ in the 40s, the boy was accused of robbing a victim walking in a park in Mons Parade, Noble Park on 18 November. He was arrested with the victim's phone by a PSO a short time later, the court heard on 19 November. At the time he was on bail for charges of violence against his residential care workers. In moments of rage, he allegedly bit, spat, threatened to harm, threw a brick at a worker in her car and struck out with a mop handle. He was also accused of breaking into the unit's office with a butter knife and stealing car keys and the unit's car. He intended to sell the car on the street for cash, police alleged. In opposing bail, police argued the boy was a risk of re-offending, continuing to use drugs as well as running away from the residential care facility.
However, the teen had no prior convictions, his defence lawyer argued. In a "very vulnerable" position, he was burdened with a "huge history of trauma". He'd lived in 23 different locations in the past five years, the court heard. The boy was on a behavioural support plan funded by the NDIS as well as having a youth case worker and being supervised 24-7 in "stable" and "therapeutic" residential care. A case manager said the "hyper-vigilant"
boy got "scared easily when there's other residents being aggressive". "In the end he'll get scared and abscond." He had recently made progress such as engaging in school. "We've definitely seen a difference. All the staff (at the unit) are really dedicated to him." Locking up the boy in youth detention would be "distressing" and "extremely detrimental" for him, the manager said. "Though he can present older than he is, he can seem to have a mind like a seven-year-old child." The children's court magistrate found the boy met the exceptional circumstances test due to his "vulnerability". However the boy was an "unacceptable risk" of absconding and re-offending, the judge said. His "violent" and "serious" offending had extended against "ordinary members of the public". To release him would be to put the "community as a whole at risk", the judge said. The boy was remanded to appear at a children's court at a later date.
Space to dream large on the outer limits By Cam Lucadou-Wells Nicky's Cafe's outer wall in Menzies Avenue, Dandenong has become a portal into an interior 'dimension'. Emerson College VCAL art students dub the galaxies and the inner worlds portrayed so spectacularly as 'The Dimension Mural'. For the past six months, they have worked diligently on the colossal mural panels. VCAL building and construction students installed the panels proudly into place. On 19 November, the piece was unveiled fittingly with a generous spread from Nicky's Cafe.
From front page The thefts cost the owner an "enormous amount of inconvenience, time and money", Judge Gaynor said. It was dumped four days later at the back of a bowls club in Blackburn North after Billy crashed in the Melba Tunnel, Eastlink. A supply of amphetamine pills was seized from the vehicle. He was arrested and remanded in custody in mid-October. Meanwhile Andrew stole items including a debit card from a couple's two cars parked at their Bayswater home. He used the debit card to buy three cab fares, supermarket items and fast food. As he sought to fraudulently buy a $10 set of headphones from a 7-11, police arrested him. The court heard of the brothers' extensive criminal histories and despairing childhoods. Rejected by their prostitute mother, they grew up separately with different fathers and in teenage homelessness. As a teenager, Billy was abandoned by his mother alone in a Housing Commission building in Yarrawonga. In between stints on the streets, he discovered his father hanged at home. He wasted the payout received for his father's death on his "massive" drug addiction. Billy abused a variety of substances, injecting about 3.5 grams of ice every two days. Heroin became a major addiction three years ago. He'd breached several community corrections orders and served a three-month jail term in the past. "You've been living in a cycle of despair and drugs and hopelessness for many, many years," Judge Gaynor said. "Your drug addiction has become so severe that you've caused yourself permanent brain damage." "Unfortunately" the Dunlops had responded well to structure and abstinence while in custody, Judge Gaynor said. Long term drug rehab was "absolutely essential" for the pair on their release - "both for your sake and the community's sake as well". "Simply, this ruinous cycle has to end." The Dunlops were eligible for parole after serving two-and-a-half years in jail.
Air-con a con By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Emerson College student Nikita with her part of the mural art work. 200689
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Emerson School VCAL art students and the mural of their inner “dimensions”. 200689 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Police are warning of a series of scams targeting plumbing and bathroom suppliers in Greater Dandenong. The scammers have used stolen credit cards to purchase “substantial” amounts of air conditioning and hot water units, Greater Dandenong CIU detectives say. Multiple businesses were targeted. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au, or Greater Dandenong CIU on 9767 7487.
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Tuesday, 26 November, 2019
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STAR JOURNAL 3