In an incident unfolding on Tuesday night, a 16-year-old boy is set to appear before a children’s court today, charged in connection with an alleged theft and assault at a licensed premises on Benjamin Lee Drive, Raymond Terrace.
At approximately 11:35 pm on November 14, 2023, police responded to reports of two individuals purportedly stealing alcohol from behind the bar. The situation escalated when an employee intervened and was allegedly assaulted by the suspects, who fled the scene in a 2011 silver Mazda 2 belonging to the employee.
The 38-year-old employee suffered facial swelling and bruising and received on-site medical attention. Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, launching an investigation into the incident.
On November 15, 2023, around 9 pm, police located the stolen Mazda 2 in Heatherbrae. A pursuit ensued when the vehicle failed to stop, ultimately concluding in Campvale. The 16-year-old driver was arrested and charged with various offenses, including aggravated break and enter, assault causing bodily harm, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and evading police.
The 13-year-old male passenger faces charges of being carried in a conveyance taken without the owner’s consent. Both teens were denied bail and appeared before a Children’s Court on November 16, 2023.
Additionally, a 13-year-old female passenger was charged with a similar offense but was granted conditional bail, scheduled to appear in a Children’s Court on December 13, 2023. Two other teenagers, a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy, were addressed under the Young Offenders Act.