Scots College students probed by police over alleged golf club hazing video
The teenagers have been dealt with under the Young Offenders Act after mobile phone footage captured an alleged brutal initiation ritual involving beer and verbal abuse.
Four students from the elite Scots College have been interviewed by police and cautioned over an alleged hazing-style incident, in which a schoolmate was forced to walk down a human tunnel while being verbally and physically abused as beer was poured over him.
The incident took place in a secluded part of Woollahra Golf Club on Saturday afternoon at a gathering where students celebrated what they called the “BOB Awards”, which stands for “boys on beers”.
The humiliation of the 17-year-old victim — who was called a “fat c...’’ — was captured on mobile phone recordings, later handed to the police.
The teenagers have not been charged but dealt with under the Young Offenders Act, which is designed to avoid juveniles going to court and instead focuses on teaching responsibility for their actions and often involves apologising to the victim.
“It was never my son’s intention or mine for anyone to go to jail,” the 17-year-old’s mother said.
“(We) just want to get a change in behaviour.
“Bullying of this kind is not acceptable and I would hope the school will now take this opportunity to implement action to reinforces that young men do not treat anyone in this way.”
NSW Police confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that officers had spoken to four teenage boys.
“Officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command are continuing investigations into the alleged assault of a 17-year-boy at a sports ground in Manion Ave, Rose Bay,” a police spokesperson said on Tuesday.
“Following inquiries, police have since spoken with four teenage boys – two aged 16 and two aged 17 – who will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act. Investigations remain ongoing.”
A number of other students are still yet to be spoken to by police. It is understood they will also be cautioned under the Young Offenders Act.
It is not known what disciplinary action will be taken by the school.
Scots College, at Bellevue Hill, said it was carrying out its own investigation, which could result in students being expelled.
The 17-year-old victim managed to leave the area, after the incident but was still chased by some of the group before a woman in Manion Ave at Rose Bay came to his aid.
The woman gave him shelter at her home, where he contacted police before later making a statement.
In his statement, the teenager said he was included in a WhatsApp chat where there was discussion about the “BOB Awards” being held in the following week or so.
“My son, who thought he was being invited as part of the group, was essentially lured to the gathering,” his mother claimed.
“But when he arrived he was forced to carry a flag and pushed down a human tunnel and humiliated, which is in his police statement.”
The “BOB Awards” are a tradition held on Australia Day and again towards the end of the year, away from the school premises
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Originally published as Scots College students probed by police over alleged golf club hazing video
