Source : Perth Now news
A teen boy accused of murder during a “prolonged and brutal assault” has been granted bail despite a prosecutor denying claims he thought it was part of an anti-pedophile sting.
The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced a children’s court in Brisbane on Thursday seeking bail on charges of murder, grievous bodily harm, assaults occasioning bodily harm whilst in company and robbery.
Oliver Conroy, 27, was allegedly lured to a location via social media, assaulted and then carjacked in the inner Brisbane suburb of Kelvin Grove on July 24.
Charges against seven teenagers, including two girls aged 14 and 15, were upgraded after Mr Conroy died almost two weeks later.
Police have not alleged Mr Conroy intended to meet with an underage person.
Judge Anthony Rafter heard the boy had denied taking part in the most serious alleged offences.
“In the situation there was also discussion about a potential victim being targeted by a pedophile,” defence solicitor Ria Ku said.
“My client had come in for genuine assistance but things panned out and escalated.”
Crown prosecutor Greg Cummings rejected that claim.
“There’s one throw-away line in the lead-up to it from one person about ‘going to bash a pedophile’,” he told the court.
“But the recording from the actual events demonstrates right from the beginning it was a violent attack in order to steal.
“There was nothing to do with altruistic purposes whatsoever.”
Judge Rafter said the boy’s claims about his lower level of involvement were “not convincing”.
“The evidence indicates (the boy) was actively involved in a plan to rob the deceased and took part in a prolonged and brutal assault on the deceased,” Judge Rafter said.
“He was involved in punching and kicking the deceased.”
The boy and four co-accused then allegedly got into Mr Conroy’s ute.
“The deceased managed to get onto the driver’s side running board and held onto the roof rack,” Judge Rafter said.
“The vehicle can be seen braking and accelerating in an effort to remove the deceased from the vehicle … he was ultimately dislodged and dragged some distance.”
Mr Conroy’s injuries indicated he was run over with his own vehicle, Judge Rafter said.
Police had obtained recordings allegedly showing the boy taking part in an initial assault but sitting in the passenger seat of when Mr Conroy was allegedly run over, Judge Rafter heard.
Investigators had yet to receive an autopsy report showing whether Mr Conroy’s death was caused by the alleged assault or the vehicle collision, Mr Cummings said.
The boy, who has no prior criminal history, sat in the dock wearing shorts and a green prison-issue jumper.
His parents, who offered a $40,000 bail surety, sat behind him in court.
The teen also offered to obey a 24-hour curfew unless attending court, a police station or a youth bail program.
In granting bail, Judge Rafter noted the boy had no prior record and the risk of not appearing in court could be mitigated by strict conditions, including being fitted with an electronic monitoring device.
The boy’s six co-accused remain in custody.
