Kids’ crime crisis: 13-year-old girl, 14 & 15-year-old boys plead guilty to Bunbury Forum break-in

A 13-year-old girl, a 14-year-old boy, and a 15-year-old boy have pleaded guilty to smashing their way into Bunbury Forum and stealing more than $4000 worth of jewellery in September, among a string of other thefts. The teenagers — who cannot be named for legal reasons — appeared in Children’s Court in Bunbury on Friday, with one appearing via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Perth. It is alleged the trio smashed their way through the DOME cafe during the early hours of September 13, and used bricks to break the front display window of the Angus and Coote jewellery store. The group made off with watches valued at $4437, and caused damage estimated at thousands of dollars to the DOME cafe and Angus and Coote store. The cost of the watches stolen was first reported at $8000, however this amount was amended in court. Not only did the teenagers allegedly post photos of their arms glittering with the watches on Snapchat, but they were also caught on CCTV footage, which their counsel mentioned they have still not seen. The 15-year-old boy — who has been in detention at Banksia Hill since the burglary — is also facing charges of stealing and breaking and entering into Australind Senior High School, allegedly destroying tills and benches in what is believed to be the woodwork classroom. The 14-year-old boy was also charged with stealing a $100 shirt from Rebel Sport in Bunbury. The 13-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy pleaded guilty to all charges against them, while the 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty to all charges except the damage done to the shop fronts. All three will face the Children’s Court to receive further counselling and sentencing at a later date, while the third boy will remain in Banksia Hill until sentencing.