Girl, 13, fined $20 for stealing car, drink driving

A 13-year-old girl has been fined $20 and ordered to undergo counselling for stealing a car and driving it after she drank alcohol for the first time in her life.

The girl, who lives in the South West, pleaded guilty in the Bunbury Children’s Court today to four charges including stealing a motor vehicle and driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.036.

The court was told the girl was taken to Brunswick to drink vodka and lemonade with an older friend and a 14-year-old girl.

She was abandoned in the town and was feeling nauseous and sick from the alcohol.

She stole a Ford Falcon ute, drove it to Bunbury, about 25 minutes away, and was arrested by police when she arrived at a house in Withers.

Her lawyer, Derek Hunter, said she had never committed a crime before the incident and had learnt her lesson.

“Speaking to her about her future she said she would like to be a beautician or a police officer,” Mr Hunter said.

Magistrate Elizabeth Hamilton said the girl was ordinarily “a law-abiding citizen”.

She imposed to $10 fines and ordered the girl to undergo counselling with a Juvenile Justice Team.

If she completes the program she will not receive a criminal conviction.

Outside court, the girl’s mother said her daughter was afraid she was going to get “locked up” and described her as a “pretty good kid”.

“I’m glad the magistrate had an understanding of what was going on,” she said.

“I hope she turns her life around.”