‘Out of control’ teen who allegedly killed woman on e-motorbike released on bail

3 months ago 8

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A 17-year-old boy who was described by his parents as “out of control” has been released on bail after allegedly hitting and killing a woman in an Edgewater park while riding an e-motorbike.

The teen, who cannot be named because of his age, made a bid for freedom again on Tuesday after spending a week locked up at Banksia Hill Detention Centre following his arrest over the death of a 59-year-old nurse on July 26.

Police examine an electric off-road motorbike involved in a fatal crash in Edgewater.

Police allege he was riding an off-road electric motorbike that was unregistered and “travelling erratically” when the crash happened at about 2.30pm near Edgewater Drive.

The woman, a nurse who was originally from New Zealand, was taken to Joondalup Health Campus where she later died.

The teenager was charged with manslaughter, no authority to drive, using an unlicensed vehicle on a road, reckless driving escaping pursuit by police and failing to comply with a direction to stop.

The boy, whom the court previously heard had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, lives between his father’s house, predominantly, and his mother and teenage brother’s house in Toodyay.

The court was previously told police had been called multiple times to his home after his behaviour turned violent, but the boy had never been convicted of a crime.

His parents told the court on his last appearance that they had “absolutely no control over his behaviour”. His bail application was adjourned for reports to be provided to the court outlining his suitability for release.

On Tuesday, that report was brought before Perth Children’s Court Magistrate Alana Padmanabham who agreed he could be released into his parents’ care under a strict 7pm to 7am curfew and that he must present to police when they visit his home for relevant checks.

The court heard his parents, who are separated, were rearranging family dynamics to accommodate the teen’s bail conditions and keep him engaged and busy.

Conditions also include that he is not to ride any e-scooters or bikes and is not to drive any vehicles on public roads or public places.

During his hearing, the court also heard the boy was allegedly caught on police air wing footage riding the electric motorcycle before the crash, and that the bike had only recently been purchased.

Whether there was a mechanical issue with the bike that contributed to the crash will be the subject of a forensic crash report that will be provided to the court, lawyers said.