Teen refused bail after second arrest in Gilles Plains assault case
The teen who allegedly bashed a schoolgirl, then threatened her over social media upon her release, will stay behind bars after a magistrate made it clear his top priority was the victim’s safety.
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A teenager accused of viciously assaulting a schoolgirl, then threatening her over social media, has been refused bail – with a court saying the alleged victim’s safety must be prioritised.
On Friday, the Youth Court remanded the teen, 14, in custody saying her alleged behaviour was far too concerning for even the most stringent forms of supervised release.
Magistrate David White said the girl’s renewed aggression on Instagram – first reported by The Advertiser on Thursday – was considered, by prosecutors, to be a second assault.
“Here, we have allegations of a serious assault and then a further allegation of a further assault against the same victim,” he said.
“That threat can fairly be said to be meant to have intimidated the victim or witnesses.
“She had already been given police bail which was fashioned to provide some sense of protection to the victim – that protection is this court's primary consideration.”
The 14-year-old and her co-accused, 15, have yet to plead to charges including multiple, aggravated counts of assault and breaching bail.
Their charges arise from their alleged conduct during and after an assault upon a girl, 13, outside the Gilles Plains Shopping Centre on Tuesday.
The 14-year-old was rearrested after allegedly posting an Instagram video in which she threatened to “cave in” the schoolgirl’s teeth when next she saw her.
On Friday, prosecutors said the 14-year-old and 15-year-old were among eight teenagers who approached the schoolgirl, and could be “clearly” seen punching and kicking her.
They said the schoolgirl would require dental work and monitoring “for the rest of her life”.
They acknowledged the teenagers’ claims that the assault was prompted by racist comments online but said no evidence had been found of any such behaviour.
The 14-year-old will face court again in three weeks, while the 15-year-old will seek release on bail on Tuesday.
Outside court, the 14-year-old’s mother said the situation was “disgusting”.
“This is all happening to my child, what’s happening to the other side?” she said.
“It’s not a one-way street, it goes two ways.”
