Teenager charged after man attacked with shovel, rake, mop during violent crime spree in Tamworth

Police have charged a teenager with multiple serious offences including a violent home invasion where man was beaten with a shovel, rake and mop.

The 15-year-old boy will face court on a raft of charges following investigations into multiple property-related incidents in northern NSW.

Police allege the teen was one of a group of four males who armed themselves with a shovel, rake and a mop and forced entry into the property on Lambert Street, Tamworth, before assaulting the man in April this year.

A 32-year-old man was treated at the scene for facial injuries by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Tamworth Hospital. A 71-year-old woman who was also at the property wasn’t injured.

Officers attached to Oxley Police District commenced investigations into multiple property-related offences in the Tamworth area and issued a future court attendance notice at a youth justice centre when charging the boy with 10 offences on Monday.

The charges include:

• Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-people there (three counts)
• Drive conveyance taken without consent of owner (two counts)
• Never licensed person drive vehicle on road (two counts)
• Aggravated break and enter and commit serious indictable offence-inflict actual bodily harm, and
• Dishonestly obtain property by deception (two counts).

He will appear at a children’s court on Tuesday November 5.

Police will allege in court the charges relate to alleged offences including the theft of a sedan from a home on Mustang Close, Tamworth in April which was later involved in a pursuit which was terminated a short time later

A home on Kurrawan Street, Tamworth, was allegedly also targeted by the boy after being broken into about 4.30am on April 23, and a SUV, sedan and wallet were allegedly stolen. The SUV was later involved in a pursuit before it was terminated.

The SUV was found abandoned after crashing into an electricity meter on Goonoo Goonoo Road, Tamworth. The sedan was found a short time later at the intersection of Karloo Street and Calala Lane

Another SUV was reported stolen from a home on Hillvue Road, Tamworth, between 1am and 3am on May 4.

The same vehicle was sighted at a service station on White Street, Tamworth, about 3am before leaving and allegedly failing to pay.

The vehicle was located about 4.40pm on May 6, abandoned on Suzanne Street, Tamworth, and was seized for forensic examination which will form part of the case against the teenager.

Inquiries under Operation Regional Mongoose continue. Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.