South West teenager pleads guilty to serious home burglary where occupant was sexually assaulted

A South West teenager has admitted his involvement in a serious home burglary that involved the occupant being unlawfully detained and sexually assaulted.

The teenager, who cannot be named, appeared in Bunbury Children’s Court via video link from Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre on Friday, September 2 where he pleaded guilty to a range of offences including aggravated home burglary and commit, attempted aggravated armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, and committing aggravated sexual penetration without consent in the course of an aggravated home burglary.

It was understood the burglary took place at a South Bunbury home on April 11 this year and the boy was in the company of a 16-year-old Eaton teenager, who had previously pleaded guilty to his respective charges from the same incident.

The boy also admitted his involvement in an armed robbery against a taxi driver in Australind on March 26, 2022, where he and two other teenagers attacked the driver with a taser and stole $100 in cash.

A 15-year-old boy, who the teenager was in company with during the armed robbery, was previously placed on a four-month youth community-based order for his involvement along with an unrelated schoolyard assault.

A 17-year-old also admitted his involvement in the taxi driver incident and was previously referred to complete court conferencing.

A psychological report was sought for the teenager and the matters were adjourned to the Perth Children’s Court on September 20 for final negotiations on minor matters before the boy is eventually sentenced.

The teenager was remanded in custody.