160km/h with eight kids in the car: Perth boy’s high-speed chase could have ended in catastrophe, court told

A 13-year-old boy is accused of reaching speeds of up to 160km/h as he led police on a high-speed chase through Perth’s south-east suburbs on Tuesday night with seven other children crammed into the small car.

The incident, which a state prosecutor said could have been “catastrophic”, began on Tuesday night when the group of boys allegedly stole a black Toyota Corolla hatchback from a house on Stevenage Street in Huntingdale.

Police spotted the vehicle at an intersection in Maddington about 10.50pm and activated their lights and sirens.

But the alleged driver, who had a full cast on his broken leg, is accused of speeding away from police, at times into oncoming traffic.

Other cars on the road had to take evasive action to avoid the vehicle as it mounted curbs and hit road infrastructure.

The pursuit came to an end after several minutes, with the stolen vehicle barely driveable by the time the group of eight boys piled out and fled on foot in Thornlie.

Officers apprehended the children, aged between 10 and 16, and charged all but the youngest with stealing a motor vehicle.

The alleged driver was also charged with failing to stop, reckless driving to escape police pursuit and no authority to drive.

He and another co-accused spent the night in Banksia Hill Detention Centre before appearing in Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday.

The court heard both boys were already on bail at the time of the crash for unrelated burglary and stealing offences.

State prosecutors opposed bail for the driver, telling Magistrate Kyle Martin the incident could have been catastrophic and ended in serious harm.

“This is an incredible risk now for the community should he be released on bail,” she said.

Despite the concerns, Martin granted the boy and his co-accused bail, with both subject to 24/7 curfews, and banned from associating with each other.

He described the incident as “incredibly serious” and said it was lucky the driver, passengers and other road users were not hurt.

“Motor vehicles used improperly like weapons [can cause incredible harm],” Martin said.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.