An 11-year-old boy charged with murder over a deadly stabbing at Perth’s Esplanade bus and train station has sought applications for bail, a Perth court has heard.
On Tuesday the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared via video link from Banksia Hill Detention Centre in Perth Children’s Court with his father by his side.
The boy’s alleged victim, a 26-year-old man, was fatally stabbed during a brawl at the station early on January 27 and the minor is one of four people charged over the incident.
According to The Australian newspaper, the minor was fidgety during his court appearance and in a moment of tenderness his father brushed strands of hair away from his son’s face while the pair waited for the judge.
“That gesture and the sight of the father whispering to the boy behind his cupped hand were silently witnessed by lawyers, officials and a row of journalists”, wrote the newspaper.
According to AAP, “Children’s Court President Denis Reynolds adjourned the case to allow defence lawyer Robert Owen to prepare a plan for the boy if he were to be granted bail.”
The boy did not say much but answered “yep” when asked if he understood why the matter was being adjourned.
Under federal law children from the age of 10 can be held criminally accountable for their actions and the boy is believed to be the youngest person ever in Australia to be charged with murder.
According to Perth’s Sunday Times Aboriginal elder Ben Taylor-Cuiermara told reporters outside court that the victim’s family were “not coping at all.”
“The mother’s very upset… That’s only one son she had,” said Mr Taylor-Cuiermara.
He also remarked on the sadness of such a young person in this position.
“Something has got to be done, I’m just tired as an elder watching my people die so young,” he said.
“Where’s the duty of care? This kid was roaming the street at 3 o’clock in the morning.”
Two 19-year-olds also charged over the man’s death, Dylan Terrance Wayne Anthony and Clinton Frederick Mead, appeared in court on Friday and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on February 24.
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