Five teenage boys set to stand trial over Rangeway robbery allegations, elderly resident assaulted with broom

Up to five teenage boys accused of being part of a burglary where a senior Rangeway resident was hit in the face with a broomstick will go to trial, while a sixth boy intends to plead guilty. Rangeway senior Ruth O’Brien was assaulted with a broom in her home during the burglary early on Tuesday, June 11. It was previously alleged in court Ms O’Brien was confronted by six boys, aged 12-15, after they broke into her home. Sen. Const. Thomas Potts said a 14-year-old allegedly assaulted the woman with a broom and the teenagers stole her keys, purse and mobile phone, before driving her car to an address in Waggrakine where further burglaries took place. In Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, lawyers confirmed a 12-year-old intended to plead guilty to his involvement and the matter was adjourned to next week for sentencing. The court previously was told the teenager was acting as a lookout during the incident. Other co-accused are expected to go to trial later this year. Magistrate Matthew Walton adjourned those matters to Tuesday, September 24 for a status conference to determine a trial date. A 14-year-old, who police allege assaulted the elderly woman, pleaded guilty to burglary, three counts of stealing a motor vehicle and stealing. He is yet to enter pleas to armed robbery and a second burglary charge. The 13-year-old pleaded not guilty to three counts of burglary, armed robbery, two counts of stealing, two counts of stealing a motor vehicle and no authority to drive. An 11-year-old is yet to enter pleas to two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, burglary and stealing, while a 15-year-old is yet to enter pleas to armed robbery, burglary, stealing a motor vehicle and obstructing police. Another 12-year-old, who the court previously heard had provided Ms O’Brien with a tissue and a glass of water after she was allegedly assaulted, previously entered not guilty pleas to armed robbery, two counts of burglary and stealing a motor vehicle.