Tasha and Chris Lazaridis were left shaken after a 13-year-old allegedly attempted to carjack their vehicle in Ashburton on August 31, while their two-year-old son was in the back seat.
CCTV footage captured two masked offenders trying to open the car doors before fleeing, with Mr Lazaridis seen reversing the car and ramming the alleged getaway vehicle.
Four teenagers were charged over the incident, including the 13-year-old, who faced seven serious charges: attempted carjacking, armed robbery, dangerous driving while pursued by police, reckless conduct, unlicensed driving, burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle.
However, a court this week dropped all charges, citing the legal principle of doli incapax, which presumes children aged 10–14 may lack the criminal intent to understand the moral wrong of their actions.
Ms Lazaridis told 3AW she was devastated by the outcome. “We basically were meant to testify today in court and we received a call from the detective on our case saying that because of doli incapax all charges were dropped, so that was that, there were no consequences yet again,” she said.
“I feel completely let down by our government. I think the government cares more about protecting and looking after the wellbeing of the offenders, and not the victims. They are going to keep offending because there are no consequences.”
She also criticised Premier Jacinta Allan’s claims about Victoria’s bail laws, calling them “a joke” and “untrue.”
Source: News.com.au.
