Teenage robbery suspect released again
After skipping court last month, Bilijk First Nation sprung after second bail hearing
A teenage Bilijk (Kingsclear) First Nation boy who was in the wind for two weeks after skipping a court date in an attempted-robbery case has been released on conditions again.
The 14-year-old youth - whose can’t be identified as per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act - was arrested at the Irving/Circle K Convenience store at 181 King St. the morning of Oct. 19 with a 15-year-old co-accused after a car smashed into the front of the business in what police reported as an attempted robbery.
Bail hearings were held for both teens Oct. 23, and while the 15-year-old was remanded, Judge Cameron Gunn ruled the 14-year-old’s continued detention wasn’t necessary.
He was released on conditions and ordered to return to court Nov. 14 to enter pleas, but the teen didn’t show up. A warrant was issued for his arrest at that time.
Police picked him up last week after two weeks, and he was remanded Friday pending a bail hearing, which was held Monday.
After the 14-year-old’s second bail hearing Monday, though, Judge Lucie Mathurin ruled the boy could again be released on the same conditions as last time.
She ordered him to return to court Jan. 3 to enter pleas.
The 14-year-old is charged jointly with the 15-year-old Bilijk boy with attempting to rob the gas station, possessing a stolen 2018 Mercedes C300 and masking their faces during the Oct. 19 incident, during which the stolen car smashed into the doors of the business.
The younger defendant is also charged with indictable assault, uttering threats to cause death and/or bodily harm and breach of a police undertaking in connection with the same incident.
He now also faces additional charges of breaching a release order by failing to reside at a Bilijk First Nation home Nov. 10 and failing to attend court Nov. 14.
The 15-year-old youth, who remains in custody, is due back in Fredericton youth court Dec. 20 to enter pleas.
In addition to the joint charges, he’s also accused of assault with a weapon (the Mercedes), dangerous driving, mischief causing damage to the gas station and breach of a youth probation order, all stemming from the same Oct. 19 incident at the gas station.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
That's how stupid our justice system is. they do the same thing all over again, and expect different results. isn't that a sign of insanity?
Catch and release under the same conditions he didn't comply with the first time. Who said crime doesn't pay? Bonus, he gets continue his criminal behaviour anonymously because he's a minor.