The family of a teenager fighting for life after a bungled arson attack has issued a plea to other kids, asking them not to accept cash to commit crimes.
Friends of the 13-year-old were left shaken by his fateful decision, the dangerous consequence of doing a criminal’s dirty work.
The family of a teenager fighting for life after a bungled arson attack has issued a plea to other kids, asking them not to accept cash to commit crimes. 9News
“I couldn’t even look at him when I saw him in the hospital,” one friend told 9News.
Another added that it was “very traumatic”.
The 13-year-old boy suffered severe burns to 90 per cent of his body after an arson attack in Taylors Hill, in Melbourne’s north, backfired.
He was left for dead by his alleged accomplices.
“He was a very funny person, very loved in the community, everyone loved him,” the friend said.
“What happened to him, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”
Friends of the 13-year-old were left shaken by his fateful decision, the dangerous consequence of doing a criminal’s dirty work. 9News
The boy’s own family issuing a plea to kids not to accept cash to commit crimes.
“You do not have to prove yourself, fight someone else’s battles or stay around people who put you in danger,” they said in a statement.
“Walk away. Speak up. Tell someone. Protect your life.”
One of the co-accused teens reportedly contacted the 13-year-old’s family and offered them money.
“I am so deeply sorry for everything and please believe me when I say this, I’m not asking for your forgiveness and don’t expect you to like me at all but I am so sorry for what happened to [him] and it’s my fault this all happened,” they allegedly said, according to the ABC.
It comes as Melbourne’s wave of fire bombings escalates, with 14 cars torched across the city this week alone.
It comes as Melbourne’s wave of fire bombings escalates, with 14 cars torched across the city this week alone. 9News
The latest, was in Taylors Lakes in Melbourne’s north-west on Saturday night, where flames engulfed a double garage and destroyed a ute.
The firebugs fled in a dark-coloured SUV.
Police believe this wave of arson attacks is largely tied to organised crime syndicates but detectives are still trying to work out the motive behind the latest one, and, if it’s all linked.
“It’s really, really difficult for the police to track down the kind of kingpins, because the ones that are actually at risk and taking these dangerous tasks are young people,” criminologist Xanthe Mallett told 9News.
The boy’s friends are urging others to be more cautious in the risks they take.
The boy’s friends are urging others to be more cautious in the risks they take. 9News
“Money comes and goes, but your life doesn’t,” one warned.
While the other said no money was “worth whatever trouble is coming with it”.
“Actions always have consequences, you don’t know what’s going to happen to you [and] everyone you’re close to,” they said.
“It leaves a very big impact.”