Teens in year-long rampage allegedly culminating in rape of seven-year-old girl

STATE government is investigating how 20 children in its care were able to carry out a rampage allegedly culminating in a sex attack on a youngster.

Child of 7 ‘raped’ in town hit by teen crime wave

THE state government is urgently investigating how at least 20 children in its care were able to carry out a year-long crime rampage allegedly culminating in the rape of a seven-year-old girl.

Despite more than 500 police calls regarding the youths in the care of the Coffs Harbour-based Wundarra Services last year — including the alleged rapes of three children and 27 assaults — appeals by police to government authorities achieved little.

Wundarra Services provides care for children with “extremely complex needs” at a series of safe houses in the region run by professional carers.

Moonee Beach Shopping Centre near where a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped.

It receives $2.3 million in funding per year as part of a contract arrangement with the state government.

In one of the most shocking claims, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped in public toilets at Moonee Beach in January by a 14-year-old who was under the care of the service.

Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard yesterday said he was horrified and had spoken to the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian.

“Every right-minded person would be horrified at what’s alleged to have occurred,” Mr Hazzard said.

Wundarra Services provides care for children with “extremely complex needs” at a series of safe houses in the region run by professional carers.

“Obviously there are legal processes that must proceed, but today, after being informed of this alleged incident, I have personally spoken to the Children’s Guardian and urgently sought an investigation. I have been assured that the investigation starts today.”

Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser said the funding should stop if an investigation showed the service was failing to properly supervise and guide the young people.

The Daily Telegraph understands police have repeatedly raised concerns about Wundarra with government authorities.

The town is besieged.

The 14-year-old has been charged with sexual intercourse with a girl aged under 10 and two counts of indecent assault.

It follows 503 criminal incidents recorded by Coffs Harbour police in 2015 involving teenagers being cared for by Wundarra.

These include eight sexual offences — six of them against children, 23 domestic violence offences, robbery, 27 assaults and three police pursuits.

There were also 55 apprehended violence orders taken out against juveniles in residential care with the service.

A spokeswoman for Wundarra said it had no comment. A FACS spokeswoman said, as the matter related to children in care, it was unable to comment further.