Teen charged with machete robbery denied bail as tough new NT bail laws kick inBy Olivana LathourisBy Sam ParryTopic:Courts1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 3:10amThe court heard the 15-year-old was kept in isolation for 23 hours a day in Darwin's Youth Detention Centre. (Supplied: Pixabay)In short:The Northern Territory parliament passed new laws last month making it harder for people accused of serious offences, including youths, to be granted bail.A fortnight in, the new legislation is already resulting in more young people remanded in custody.What's next?The NT government says it is expecting a spike in prisoner numbers and is planning to add 100 beds to correctional facilities across the territory.abc.net.au/news/teen-charged-with-machete-robbery-denied-bail-under-new-laws/105282458Link copiedShareShare articleA teenager who allegedly robbed a bottle shop armed with a machete, after the rehabilitation program he was successfully completing was defunded, has been denied bail under strict new Northern Territory laws.The NT parliament passed the new bail laws last month in response to an unrelated case — the fatal stabbing of Darwin supermarket owner Linford Feick during a confrontation with an alleged thief.Phillip Randel Maurice Parry, 18, has since been charged with his murder and will return to court on June 25.NT passes urgent bail laws ahead of youth justice overhaulPhoto shows Woman speaks in parliament New bail laws have been passed during an urgent sitting of NT parliament, a week after the fatal stabbing of a Darwin supermarket owner.Under the new laws, judges must have "a high degree of confidence" that alleged offenders will not "endanger the safety of the community" before granting bail.The reforms also removed a requirement for courts to only remand youths in custody "as a last resort".Children 'locked down for 23 hours a day'In separate cases before the Youth Justice Court on Monday, two teenage boys were denied bail to enter rehabilitation programs.Lawyer for both boys, Jenna McHugh, asked judge Thomasin Opie to grant her clients bail, saying critical staffing shortages at the youth detention facility in Holtze meant young detainees were being locked down for 23 hours a day.Jenna McHugh says a lack of rehabilitation options in custody puts the community at "greater risk" than releasing youths on bail. (ABC News: Jayden O'Neill)She said one of the boys — a 15-year-old with diagnosed depression and ADHD — was not receiving regular education at the facility and had been denied pencils and paper in his cell.The teenager is facing an aggravated robbery charge for allegedly brandishing a machete inside a Celebrations bottle shop.While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegation, Ms McHugh said the rehabilitation facility would provide a "semi-custodial" setting and the teenager was willing to follow strict conditions including a curfew, electronic monitoring and alcohol and drug tests.Remand conditions 'not conducive to rehabilitation'Judge Opie noted the teenager had last year been bailed to attend a rehabilitative program, in which he went on to become "one of our success stories".But she said the program had since been defunded, resulting in the teenager's supports being pulled."That's when his reoffending commenced," she said.Prosecutor Damien Jones told the court he had "no confidence" the teenager would comply with the bail conditions and insisted community safety was paramount, despite the boy's positive history."Where there has been the use of bladed weapons, it has resulted in people's deaths," he said."It doesn't really get more serious than that."Ms McHugh argued community safety would be better protected by rehabilitating young alleged offenders."If he gets out and doesn't go to [rehabilitation] and doesn't receive support … then the community is at greater risk, in my submission, than they would otherwise be," she said.But in denying bail, Judge Opie said while the conditions for young people on remand were "not conducive" to rehabilitation or mental health, the test set by the new laws had not been met.Youth 'bullied' in detention also denied bailAnother 15-year-old boy charged with serious offences, including aggravated robbery, was also denied bail on Monday, despite being deemed suitable for the rehabilitation program.Ms McHugh said the teenager had been on remand for more than a month and had experienced "significant bullying" during that period.She said the NT government's Specialist Assessment and Treatment team had previously declined to assess him for autism and his lawyers were seeking advice from an independent paediatrician."Those appointments have to keep on getting put off because he's in custody," she said.The new Holtze Youth Detention Centre opened last year. (ABC News: Jayden O'Neill)The teenager appeared in person before the court and told Judge Opie he had overcome his reliance on drugs while in custody."I would just like to say that the time you have given me in detention has really given me time to think about the plan of what I should do with my life," he said."If you were to give me bail, I really have turned a corner."But prosecutor Garmmeni Alakiotis said the teenager had previously been unable to comply with strict bail conditions and posed "a real risk" of further violent offending."As mentioned earlier today on previous matters, the court has to consider the safety of the community," she said.LoadingPosted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 3:10am, updated 1h ago1 hours agoTue 13 May 2025 at 3:11amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter) News in LanguageListen to the news in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha and KriolListenTop Stories'We should all share responsibility': Sussan Ley says of Liberals' election resultLIVEPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal PartyTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Sussan Ley smiles as she walks down a corridor.No matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkePhoto shows A close up of Donald Trump's face as he looks over his shoulder with a casual expression.Why the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderPhoto shows A man walks past two terrace housesGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbusePhoto shows A woman rushing in a hospital corridor.Popular nowNo matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkePhoto shows A close up of Donald Trump's face as he looks over his shoulder with a casual expression.Sussan Ley is the new leader of the Liberal Party, Ted O'Brien is deputy LIVEPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Fungi expert gives evidence on death cap mushrooms at Erin Patterson trialLIVEPhoto shows An image of Erin Patterson.Related topicsCourtsDarwinNTPrisonsTop Stories'We should all share responsibility': Sussan Ley says of Liberals' election resultTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Susan Ley talks while standing behind a lectern. Behind her is an Australian flag.Sussan Ley becomes first woman to lead Liberal PartyTopic:ElectionsNo matter how he spins it, this is a major capitulation from TrumpAnalysis by Carrington ClarkeWhy the Reserve Bank is wary of rocketing real estate pricesIAnalysis by Ian VerrenderGirl in 24/7 care 'so far gone' she may die from sexual exploitationTopic:Child AbuseJust InNeighbours describe bloody scene after unit block stabbingTopic:Stabbings11m ago11 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:26amDeadly mushrooms seen near Erin Patterson's town months before lunch, court hearsTopic:Law, Crime and Justice18m ago18 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:19amDo you really need a credit card before applying for a home loan? Topic:Explainer21m ago21 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:15amAlan Jones evidence 'contradictory' to indecent assault claims, court toldTopic:Courts13m ago13 minutes agoTue 13 May 2025 at 4:23amMore Just InBack to top