A 14-year-old boy accused of involvement in a series of alleged crime sprees has been refused bail.
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A magistrate told the court they could not think of any other option, citing concerns about the teen's willingness to comply with a court order.
Police alleged the boy was among a number of teens involved in a series of aggravated burglaries, motor vehicle thefts and driving offences in the Bendigo area.
Some of the incidents are alleged to have occurred on March 12. The rest of the claims before the court date back to February 27-28.
Police alleged the 14-year-old boy drove stolen vehicles as part of the events.
The boy's bail application was opposed by police, who argued he posed an unacceptable risk if released.
"We've got children here that seem to think it's a fun game," the police prosecutor said.
While the prosecutor appreciated most people would say it was not fair or ideal to keep a child remanded in custody, he said it was his preferred choice because of the support that would be available to the boy.
Youth justice did not support the boy's application for bail.
The police prosecutor argued the boy should be remanded until such time as youth justice was satisfied he would be a suitable candidate for bail.
"It's only a question of time," the prosecutor said.
The teen's lawyer argued there were exceptional circumstances, which she believed justified her client's release.
She argued for the boy to be granted bail under stringent conditions, including banning him from associating with his co-accused and imposing a curfew.
The lawyer noted all of her client's alleged offending was as part of a group.
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At least two of the boy's co-accused have been granted bail.
"Although youth justice said their view is that he is not suitable for bail, they will do their best for him," the boy's lawyer said.
It was proposed the boy be bailed to live with his grandparents, one of whom was supporting him in court.
The lawyer said some of the charges against the boy were contested, which meant the teen could be in custody on remand for some time.
"What we are seeing today is the beginning of his institutionalisation," the lawyer said.
Granting the boy's application for bail would pose an unacceptable risk, the magistrate believed.
She acknowledged the boy's age and vulnerability as an exceptional circumstance. The magistrate also acknowledged the boy's family support.
"I think your grandparents are trying very hard but, at the end of the day, this issue is about your behaviour," she said.
The magistrate said the matters before the court were serious and was not convinced there were bail terms she could impose that would mitigate the risk.
The boy was remanded to re-appear before the court later that month, where the charges against him would be further explored.
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