The 17-year-old appeared in a children’s court faced with almost 20 charges including threat to kill, recklessly causing injury and attempted robbery.

Police allege the youth approached an 80-year-old man in a parked car on April 28, believing the man to be a paedophile.

He then asked the man for money, and when he refused the youth punched him “between 40 and 50 times”.

On May 12, it’s alleged the youth charged at police holding a hammer following an argument with his partner at her home.

A police prosecutor told the court that during the same incident, the youth punched a woman with a knuckleduster as she attempted to intervene in the dispute. 

The youth pleaded guilty in court.

In applying for bail, the defence counsel said his client would be able to avoid alcohol under his mother’s supervision.

“The accused has made full admission of his offending,” he said. 

He said his client had a low IQ of 59 and had spent periods of time homeless. 

The court was also told the youth suffered from depression and drug addiction.

“He’s had a taste of what lies ahead with two weeks in custody,” he said.

However, the magistrate said granting bail would pose “too great a risk”. 

He pointed to prior assaults and offences committed by the youth last year.

“The gratuitous violence to an 80-year-old is a case of serious concern,” the magistrate said.

“I have serious concerns that if released from custody that he will be able to comply with the bail conditions.”

The youth was denied bail and was remanded to appear in court at a later date.