By Sarah Brookes and Rebecca Peppiatt
WA Premier Roger Cook has reiterated the state government’s commitment to toughen youth bail laws, including expedited trials for repeat offenders following an alleged horrific assault on a 14-year-old at a shopping centre in Perth’s north-east on Wednesday.
A 15-year-old schoolboy has been arrested and charged over the alleged assault that reportedly left the victim with a broken jaw requiring surgery to have metal plates inserted.
Roger Cook has promised reforms in bail applications.Credit: Trevor Collens
Witnesses claim they saw a group of boys at the Ellenbrook Central shopping centre near a café when an altercation ensued and the victim had his head “stomped on”.
Police released the schoolboy on bail with a date set for him to appear at the Midland Magistrates Court in three weeks.
“I’m very pleased that the police were able to apprehend some people in relation to this incident,” Cook said.
“It sounds horrible, it’s disgusting. I think violence on anyone in the community is completely unacceptable.
“That’s one of the reasons why we committed in the election to bring in a new regime around repeat serial offenders in relation to their bail activity.
“We will bring forward their dates for their court appearances, so we expedite their court appearance to make sure that they are intervened, either detained or put on a behaviour order, at a soon as possible date.”
Cook said police worked with the courts to make sure that where appropriate people are kept on remand pending their court hearing.
He added opening another children’s court in Armadale would help ensure people were seen in the justice system much quicker.
“We want people to be in front of the judge, in front of a magistrate, in front of a tribunal as soon as possible, so we can either get them on a better pathway, or we can make them pay for the crimes they’ve committed,” he said.
The incident allegedly happened at Ellenbrook Central.
Aveley Secondary College principal Stephen Pestana said the school had taken “very strong action” with the student.
“I am aware that the local shopping centre has put in place some measures to keep young people safe,” he said.
“We fully support the shopping centre management requirements for zero tolerance on disruptive and aggressive behaviour and will take strong action if they bring any inappropriate behaviour to my attention.”
The teen was left with serious facial injuries including a broken jaw in two places and was having seizures, his father said on Friday, calling for justice and claiming other students stood by watching and filming the alleged incident.
The 14-year-old, who is in Perth Children’s Hospital, was conscious on Friday, but his MRI scans showed some bleeding on the brain.
The father told 9News there was “blood and carnage everywhere” afterwards.
“It was awful,” he said.
“Having the police there, security, people standing by videoing what’s happening and just seeing my son in pain.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the teen to help cover his medical, dental and psychological costs after the attack.
The boy’s father is not the only one upset, with angry Ellenbrook locals writing to Premier Roger Cook to demand the alleged attacker be kept behind bars.
Anyone who saw the incident is urged them to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
Detectives said the incident happened at about 4.20pm when the 14-year-old male victim was approached by a group of juveniles known to him.
The 15-year-old male has been charged with one count of acts intended to cause harm or endanger the life, health or safety of any person and was bailed to appear in the Perth Children’s Court on April 23.
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