The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty yesterday to hurling a rock through a window at the Old Collegians clubrooms and causing damage inside.

The magistrate said that unfortunately for the boy a range of opportunities had ended and he had demonstrated in the past three months he was not prepared to do what was required.

He said the youth had undertaken a program in Geelong but since returning to Warrnambool had immediately returned to his old ways. The magistrate said the teen had been completely unresponsive to going back to school, attending TAFE or seeking a job.

“You simply don’t get it yet,” he said. “Unfortunately, I am of the view that you need an opportunity for time out and to think about what you are going to do with your life. Your criminal record is deplorable,” he said.

Police alleged that on July 8 last year the youth and a co-accused went to Davidson Oval to kick a football but after 20 minutes he picked up a rock which he smashed through a window. There was also extensive damage caused to a security door in an attempt to gain entry to the bar area. The youth left a trail of blood which was matched to him through the police DNA database.

His defence solicitor said the best situation would be for the youth to get a job, but the magistrate said there was no realistic chance of that happening while he continued to abuse substances and refused to undertake training.

He said even if the boy was offered a job the likelihood of him keeping it was about nil.

“There has to be a radical shift in your thinking. Despite all the efforts of everyone involved in trying to support you, you just don’t get it,” he said.