Police charge Lewis Christopher John Roberts, 19, alongside three underage teens after alleged Casino KFC hammer bashing

KFC HQ has weighed in about the safety of staff and customers after teens were charged following an alleged vicious hammer bashing at a northern NSW outlet, which has quite a dark past.

Casino Police Station.

KFC head office has weighed in about the safety of staff and customers after four teens were charged over an alleged vicious hammer bashing at its Casino, northern NSW outlet.

NSW Police have accused four teenagers aged between 15 and 19 of being involved in the wild incident at the Centre St fast food restaurant about 7pm on Saturday.

Casino KFC after Lachlan Andrews died of stab wounds during a brawl in May 2022. Picture: Cath Piltz/NewsLocal

A 41-year-old man suffered serious facial injuries, following a spate of separate youth offending across the North Coast in recent weeks – from bashings to car thefts, break-ins and police chases.

The 19-year-old, Lewis Christopher John Roberts, was granted bail at Lismore Local Court on Monday.

KFC Casino on Centre St.

He did not enter pleas to charges of reckless wounding in company and affray.

KFC Casino, in the small regional town about 30km southwest of Lismore, is the same spot Canberra teen Lachlan Andrews was stabbed to death during a brawl on May 29, 2022.

Flowers lay outside the Casino KFC where Lachlan Andrews died of stab wounds. Picture: Tessa Flemming

Lachlan Andrews, who suffered stab wounds during a brawl at the KFC in 2022.

Following that incident, Aaron John Pocklington has pleaded not guilty to charges of affray and using an offensive weapon in company with intent to commit an indictable offence. He is not charged with causing Lachlan’s death.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot legally be identified, was charged with murder, reckless wounding and affray.

KFC Casino was contacted for comment after the four teens were accused of the unrelated attack, but workers directed inquiries to head office.

A spokesperson said:“We’re shocked by the incident that occurred at KFC Casino and thankful that no staff or customers were physically injured.”

Workers have been offered assistance, the global fried chicken giant confirmed.

“Our team members have been offered counselling services and support,” they said.

Security has also been pumped up at the eatery.

Police allege the group of teens used a hammer during the melee. File image.

“Additional security measures are implemented at this restaurant and further assessments are underway,” the spokesperson said.

“Our franchisee is working with police to assist with their investigation.”

The spokesperson said KFC’s priority was the safety of staff and customers.

Richmond Police state boys aged 15, 16 and 17 were with Roberts at the restaurant. They “purchased food” and “moved to an outside dining area”.

Police allege “words were exchanged between the teens and two older males, aged 37 and 41”.

It’s alleged the confrontation “escalated” and “all four teens (began) picking up chairs and throwing them at and using them to strike” the men.

Police allege the teens “punched and kicked” the men before “producing a hammer which was used to strike the 41-year-old male to the face and head area, causing serious facial injuries and fractures”.

It has not been specified by police which individual is alleged to have wielded the hammer.

One of the boys arrested was just 14.

Police arrived soon after and officers launched investigations, while NSW Ambulance paramedics took the man with head injuries to Lismore Base Hospital.

Officers found the group of youths “a short distance” from the KFC. They were arrested and taken to Casino Police Station.

The three underage teens faced the Children’s Court of NSW on Sunday, charged with reckless wounding in company and affray.

The trio, who cannot legally be named, are due back in the court on Wednesday.

Roberts is due to face the Lismore court again on May 9.