Western Downs teen Malik Neville Woodbridge Snapchats bashing at shopping centre

A victim cried for help as he was punched repeatedly in the head at a Western Downs shopping centre, with the attacker filming the assault and sending it to other teenagers on social media. Full details.

A Western Downs teenager filmed himself assaulting another teenager at a shopping centre, while the victim yelled for help, before sending the video of the assault to multiple people over Snapchat.

On February 2, Malik Neville Woodbridge approached a 17-year-old boy who was alone at a shopping centre and had just stepped out on the footpath, when Woodbridge yelled, “why do you always text her c--t?” and “did I tell you to stop, yes or no?”

Police prosecutor Anita Page told Dalby Magistrates Court on July 25 the victim replied, “I don’t” before trying to back away from the 18-year-old and then said he had only messaged the girl asking for a lift.

“The defendant threw a string of punches to the victim’s head,” Ms Page said.

“The victim fell to the ground and kicked out at the defendant forcing him back. When the victim stood up (Woodbridge) approached him again throwing punches.”

Ms Page told the court that the victim covered his head with his arms and yelled for help, which is when Woodbridge walked away.

She said it wasn’t until later in the day that the victim found a big cut inside his lip then further developed a bruise on his nose, under the eye and at the back of his head.

“The victim’s siblings received a Snapchat of the fight, which was used as evidence,” Ms Page said.

It was after the Snapchat circulated that the victim’s mother went to authorities with the 31-second video.

“It’s a very serious matter, and more so as it involved violence,” Ms Page said.

Defence lawyer Michael McElhinney said his client was in a relationship with and had a child with the girl that the victim had allegedly been messaging, and claimed the victim had messaged her so much it was believed by him that he was “stalking” her.

“He said the contact through social media was sometimes friendly, sometimes abusive,” Mr McElhinney said.

“He accepts he took the law into his own hands.”

Woodbridge pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

He was sentenced to six months’ probation, no conviction was recorded.