Manly Wharf brawl: Court hears new details about ‘pack’ of 20 youths attacking teenager boy

Disgusting details have been revealed in a Sydney court about a wild attack on a 13-year-old boy who sought refuge in a popular family restaurant in Manly to escape a “pack” of 20 young “spitting” males trying to assault him.

Frightened families were forced to flee a popular Manly restaurant to avoid a violent “pack” of 20 young males who were trying to attack a 13-year-old boy.

Customers at Fratelli Fresh left their meals behind as the mob tried to break in to get at the teenager who had taken refuge in the Italian eatery, Manly Local Court heard on Wednesday.

Several diners were spat on as they ran from the restaurant at the corner of Belgrave St and West Esplanade, on January 6.

One woman who, with her male partner, had bravely shepherded the boy to safety after he was surrounded by the mob just after 9pm, was assaulted as she tried to block the restaurant door.

The court heard that police found a knife secreted between pot plants at the restaurant entrance.

Northern Beaches Police at the scene of an incident near Manly Wharf on January 6 involving a group of 20 young males trying to attack a 13-year-old boy. Picture: Manly Observer

Royce Trevor Jensen, 20, of Wyong, who was part of the group that chased the boy from outside Manly Wharf, has pleaded guilty to one count each of affray and common assault.

Jensen was charged with assault for spitting on the woman who was trying to stop the youths from entering Fratelli Fresh.

Members of the public shielded the boy from the large group of males to the Fratelli Fresh Italian restaurant opposite Manly Wharf. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

The court heard that there was no suggestion Jensen assaulted the 13-year-old boy.

Jensen is one of three people, including a 15-year-old male, charged under Strike Force Crookhaven, set up by Northern Beaches Police to investigate the incident.

The court heard on Wednesday that police had withdrawn a charge of rioting against Jensen.

In a statement of agreed facts tendered to court, police stated that the 13-year-old had been chased to the restaurant by a “group of approximately 20 other males”.

Police stated the teenager was helped by members of the public who “intercepted the group by charging through the pack and helping (him) up to his feet”.

Police on Belgrave St, Manly on January 6. Picture: Manly Observer

They then “shielded” him from attack as they led him towards Fratelli Fresh.

“While this was happening, the large group … were attempting to get to the young male while he was being led away,” the facts stated.

The court heard that after the boy was let into the restaurant, he fled out the back door.

“Approximately 20 persons, including (Jensen) have attempted to enter Fratelli,” according to the agreed facts.

“Families … fled the location, leaving meals behind, to avoid potential conflict.

“Several members of the public have been spat on by persons in the group.”

Emillio Martinez, 18, of Bonnyrigg Heights, who was in court on Wednesday, has pleaded guilty to one count of affray.

Emillio Martinez, 18, Bonnyrigg Heights, outside Manly Local Court. Picture: Supplied

Martinez has also been charged with rioting, but his Legal Aid solicitor told Magistrate Daniel Reiss that she was making representations to police to have that charge dropped.

The 15-year-old boy charged with two counts of common assault, riot and affray has appeared in the Surry Hills Children’s Court.

Jensen, who appeared in court via video link from the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater, did not apply for bail.

He will be back in court on April 3. Martinez, who is on bail, will return to court on May 7.