A 12-year-old boy buried his face in his hands before he was taken to a prison cell on charges of two violent car thefts and a stolen car accident in Townsville Sunday night.

Important points:

• A boy, 12, a girl, 14, and a second boy, 16, are said to have committed two violent carjackings over the weekend
• The 12-year-old and the 14-year-old are both in custody
• A Townsville court was told that the 12-year-old was released on bail at the time of the alleged offense, while no parent or guardian appeared in court for the girl

The boy’s mother watched in silence as he appeared before Townsville Children’s Court on charges of car unlawful use and dangerous operation and robbery.

“He is on the wrong track despite all his mother’s best efforts,” said Judge Viviana Keegan.

The boy – along with a 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy – reportedly carried out two armed car thefts and crashed a stolen car over a period of four hours.

In court today, the younger boy bowed his head when he was told he would be spending more nights in custody.

“It was very dangerous what you [allegedly] did yesterday, “said Magistrate Keegan.

The court was told that the boy had only recently been bailed back into the community after spending seven nights in juvenile detention.

Judge Keegan postponed the boy’s bail request to Thursday after it became known that a meeting with stakeholders between the police, juvenile justice and the boy’s school was held Monday, unbeknownst to his mother.

A juvenile justice officer was appointed to assist the child after concerns emerged that the child was running away from home and sniffing chemicals.

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Townsville had experienced a downturn in juvenile delinquency following a spate of property crimes and juvenile arrests in May.

However, over the weekend, police were called on multiple robberies with violence and reports of stolen vehicles driving erratically through the city.

A 14-year-old girl was also due to appear in court on Monday, but her case was adjourned because no parent or legal guardian had appeared in court to request bail.

The girl was in custody until Tuesday for robbery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, as well as unauthorized entry and dangerous use of a motor vehicle.

A 16-year-old Gulliver boy was charged with personal violence, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, double wrongful use of a motor vehicle, and a charge of assault.

The older boy is due to appear in court at a later date.

* The ABC has received permission from Townsville Children’s Court to report on this case.