Hassall Grove rugby fight: Teen, 13, charged over alleged spectator assault
A teen who allegedly punched a 60-year-old spectator at a rugby game in western Sydney will fight charges after issues were raised over mistaken identity.
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A teenager has been granted bail after allegedly assaulting a spectator during a rugby game in western Sydney at the weekend.
The 13-year-old boy from Bidwill, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces charges of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a 60-year-old man was allegedly punched in the head on Saturday.
The Western Raptor Colts had been playing the Briars Union Club in an under-21s match at Mittigar Reserve in Hassall Grove when the alleged altercation broke out just before 1.30pm.
The teen faced Parramatta Children’s Court on Tuesday, where it was heard he had been attending a relative’s football game when the alleged assault took place.
Vision of the incident was played in court, which allegedly showed an older male walking quickly towards the teen before he was allegedly punched once in the head.
The court also heard the teen was a talented sports person and was granted bail in March on prior allegations of assault in company and affray.
Magistrate Robyn Richardson said the violent nature of the allegations was serious.
“I don’t think he has the capacity to control himself at sporting matches when things get heated. He should not be a spectator,” Magistrate Richardson said.
The teen pleaded not guilty and his lawyer raised issues of identification and self-defence.
Magistrate Richardson agreed that the identity of the alleged offender in the video was not clear.
“It looks like a caucasian male in a black cap and jacket (in the video),” she said.
“This young person is of Pacific Islander appearance.
“It is not immediately apparent to me in that footage that that is this young person.
“The video makes the prosecution case harder. It is not a clear cut case.”
The boy was granted strict bail and was banned from entering Mittigar Reserve or leaving home without parental supervision unless attending school.
He was also banned from attending sporting matches without a parent.
The case will return to court in July.
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