Police downgrade Whyalla teen‘s attempted murder charge less than an hour after announcing it

Police have downgraded an attempted murder charge for a 15-year-old boy who allegedly beat a police officer in the head with his own torch.

Police have downgraded an attempted murder charge for a 15-year-old boy who allegedly assaulted a police officer with his own torch in Whyalla.

Just after 1.30pm on Friday, police released information that the teen had been charged with attempted murder over the attack – but that charge was downgraded to aggravated assault causing harm less than an hour after media reports were published.

Police allege that the teenager was approached by officers after being spotted in a park on Wittwer St, Whyalla Stuart, at about 10.20pm on Thursday night.

The boy had been reported missing earlier that evening by family members.

Stuart Park in Wittwer St, Whyalla. It is the scene of an assault on a police officer. Picture: Google

The 15-year-old allegedly hit a male officer twice in the head with his own torch before fleeing the scene.

The injured officer, 34, was rushed to Whyalla Hospital where he received treatment. He has since been discharged.

After a short search, police found the boy at his Whyalla Stuart home at about 11.45pm and charged him with aggravated assault causing harm and causing harm to a prescribed emergency worker.

The teenager has been refused bail and will appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court on Friday.

Originally published as Police downgrade Whyalla teen‘s attempted murder charge less than an hour after announcing it