Teen accused in Melbourne CBD crash tells court he wants to plead guilty
A 16-year-old told a Melbourne court he wanted to plead guilty, but his lawyer said they needed to discuss the plea before he entered one.
A 16-year-old accused over a crash near Flinders Street Station in Melbourne told the Children’s Court on 19 October that he wanted to plead guilty to all charges, ABC News reported. His lawyer said they needed to discuss the plea more carefully before he entered one.
The distinction matters for the case’s current status: the teenager expressed an intention to plead guilty, but the reported hearing did not establish that he had entered a plea. He remains accused of offences arising from the 11 October crash, and his cases are next listed for 19 November.
Charges over the Flinders Street crash
ABC News reported that the teenager faces charges including reckless conduct endangering serious injury, driving offences, failing to render assistance, theft and handling stolen goods. The charges are allegations before the court, not findings of guilt. They relate to a stolen car crash near the station in Melbourne’s central business district.
A 57-year-old woman was struck in the crash and taken to hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to ABC News. Police alleged that the stolen Ford Escape had been driven along tram tracks and hit parked cars. Police ruled out terrorism or a targeted attack, the broadcaster reported.
What happened at the Children’s Court hearing
The teenager asked to address the magistrate before saying he wanted to plead guilty to all the charges, ABC News reported. His defence lawyer then told him that they needed to discuss the plea more carefully. The reported exchange explains why his words in court should not be treated as a completed guilty plea.
The teenager also complained about journalists watching the hearing by video link. His lawyer told him that the rules meant he would not be identified in reporting, according to ABC News. His identity is withheld here in keeping with that restriction.
The Children’s Court of Victoria says its Criminal Division hears and determines charges against young people who were aged 10 to 17 at the time of an alleged offence. The teenager also faces unrelated charges, ABC News reported; all his cases are due to be listed together at the 19 November hearing.
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Sources and context
- Teen charged over Melbourne CBD crash wants to plead guilty, court hearsABC News
- Criminal casesChildren’s Court of Victoria
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.