Martin Luther King in court

A 16-year-old boy called Martin Luther King has appeared in Darwin Magistrate's Court charged with 23 counts of stealing, damaging property and possessing drugs.

The juvenile, who is from Borroloola, appeared with four alleged co-offenders.

He was represented by North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (NAALAS) lawyer Michael Powell.

"I suppose I should ask my client if he had a dream your worship," Mr Powell said to magistrate Vince Luppino.

Luther King was remanded in custody at Don Dale and will appear in court again today.

Barkly Division Superintendent Colin Smith said 10 juveniles had been charged with a total of 143 offences relating to several unlawful entries at Borroloola in recent months.

The juveniles are aged between 13 and 16.

"We believe these juveniles were responsible for up to 80 per cent of unlawful entries in Borroloola since November," Supt Smith said.

"Two CIB detectives were sent up from Tennant Creek to address the escalating property crime rate and with the help of local police and information provided by the community we had a quick result.

"The final straw of the escalating cycle was when the safe was stolen from the school last week."

Other properties targeted by the juveniles in recent months included a childcare centre, a bulk discounts store and several homes.

In the latest theft, last Friday, thieves stole a pair of shorts, a wallet, a mobile phone and cigarettes from a home while the occupant was asleep.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 15th February 2005
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Rebecca Hewett and Greg McLean
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Url: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News