The parents of a 15-year-old boy accused of viciously assaulting a fellow student at an Ellenbrook shopping centre earlier this month have apologised to the victim’s father for their son’s alleged behaviour, claiming they have “no control over him”.
The alleged “coward punch” attack happened on April 2 after school, with witnesses at the time claiming the victim was walking through Ellenbrook Central with friends before he was hit in the back of the head, causing him to drop to the floor, before his head was stomped on.
A 15-year-old boy accused of a “coward punch” attack in Ellenbrook outside Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday.Credit: 9News Perth
The 14-year-old victim was taken by ambulance to hospital where he underwent surgery for a broken jaw and suffered a number of seizures.
A 15-year-old student who attended the same high school was later arrested and charged over the alleged attack.
He was released on police bail, angering the victim’s father, who attended Perth Children’s Court on Wednesday to come face to face with his son’s alleged attacker.
But the boy’s parents approached him as he was entering the courtroom, apologising for their son’s alleged behaviour.
“[The accused’s father] said he wished that his son was locked up and in [the alleged victim’s] place,” the boy’s father told media outside court.
“His dad said he is out of control, and they apologised, saying they wish it didn’t happen.”
But the victim’s father said the apology “means nothing” as his son battles suicidal ideation, mental health issues and ongoing health complications stemming from the alleged attack.
He also claimed the boy’s school had advised against him returning next week, because they could not guarantee he would be safe.
Outside court, the 15-year-old’s father told media his son would not be returning to the school, adding that he was “as outraged” by his son’s alleged behaviour as the rest of the community.
“Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the boy’s family and to [the boy] himself and that’s from the bottom of our hearts,” he said.
“We’re just as outraged, I promise you, as the rest of the community. We’re a part of that community.”
The father said: “Justice will come in another couple of weeks.”
When asked if his son was out of control, he responded that he was doing his best as a parent.
“We can only do our best can’t we?” he said.
“That’s all we can really do.”
During his appearance in court on Wednesday, it was revealed the 15-year-old also faced a burglary charge from the same date as the alleged assault.
His lawyer told the court her client intended to enter a plea of guilty to both charges, and she was waiting for CCTV footage of the incident, before asking for a three-week adjournment.
The boy’s bail was renewed on the same terms. He will be back before Perth Children’s Court next month.
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