Tewantin property linked to alleged teen assault vandalised in retaliatory attack

A Tewantin property linked to the alleged assault of a girl, 13, in a terrifying four-hour ordeal has been boarded up by a state government department after vigilantes struck.

The social housing site at the heart of an alleged teen torture case has been boarded up.

Residents in a Sunshine Coast suburb where it is alleged a young girl was tortured and bashed by three teenage girls have described the “nightmare” they have lived through and their ongoing fear after the property was “trashed beyond repair” following the incident.

Three girls aged 12, 13 and 14 were charged after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly held against her will, assaulted and stabbed in an hours-long ordeal at the home in Tewantin, near Noosa Heads in Queensland, on March 11.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to social media causing mass outrage, followed by widespread anger on a global scale and threats of retaliation by members of the public, including threats to firebomb the house.

Residents who live in the street said they have been left shocked by the recent reports.

Concerned to speak out, several residents said they witnessed the “horrific” vandalism in “broad daylight”.

“You’re watching teenagers do things that these teenagers would never do, and you’re like, ‘why are you doing this?’” one resident said.

“They’ve never seen this before, this has never happened before.

“They just want to be on social media too.”

The resident said police attended the house over the weekend but said “they would be there to deal with it Monday”.

“People were just emptying their rubbish bins on the lawn, but it’s like, you’re not affecting them, they’re not here,” the resident said.

A house in Tewantin has been vandalised and boarded up after the alleged bashing of a teenager earlier this month.

Property records state the vandalised property is owned by the state’s Department of Housing.

The Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy confirmed the department was aware that one of its properties in Tewantin had been damaged by unknown persons.

“The department is working with the Queensland Police Service and others to ensure the property is safe and secure,” a Department spokeswoman said.

The spokeswoman said the department had zero tolerance for criminal behaviour or other illegal activity in social housing.

“Tenants have rights and obligations to meet, including to pay their rent, look after their properties and be good neighbours,” the spokeswoman said.

“Where tenancy issues have been identified and substantiated, the department takes appropriate action under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008.

“This could include the issuing of a Notice to Leave or legal action through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), where QCAT may end the tenancy.”

A Queensland Police Service spokesman confirmed two girls aged 12 and 13 have been remanded in custody to reappear in Maroochydore Children’s Court later this month.

A 14-year-old girl has also been remanded in custody to reappear in Maroochydore Children’s Court next month, as police warned against further vigilantism.

The police spokesman said “police recommend members of the public not engage in methods of disrupting criminal activity or reprisal which may involve risk of personal harm or further legal recourse”.

“People who do attempt to take matters into their own hands can very well have any weapon turned on themselves and could face harm or in some cases could themselves face legal recourse dependent on their actions,” the spokesman said.

Police are also appealing for people not to share any images or vision relating to this incident out of respect for the victim and to not add to the notoriety of those involved.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone who wishes to report an offence can do so anonymously by contacting Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.