Tyler Roberts: A 15-year-old was violently bashed by a group of teens at Inverloch

A father of a young footballer says his son "smiled for the first time" three months after he was savagely bashed by a gang of teens at Inverloch.

A young footballer hospitalised after he was attacked by a gang of teens "smiled for the first time" three months on from the savage attack, his father says.

 

Tyler Roberts, 15, who was bashed by a group of six teenagers for "defending a mate" in February, is struggling getting back to normal three months on from the savage attack.

Tyler's dad Dale said it was a "huge" deal when Tyler's school called him to let him know they saw him smile.

"We got a call from his school to let us know Tyler smiled for the first time, they thought it was such a big deal they wanted to let us know," he said.

The brutal assault occurred following an underage party at Inverloch which ended in Tyler being hospitalised with a concussion, bruised ribs and two puncture wounds.

Videos of the attack circulated on social media and showed onlookers standing by and laughing while Tyler lay on the ground, “crying and telling them to stop”.

“One kid drop-punched him from a running start,” Dale said.

“People came from nowhere and kicked him then walked off.”

Mr Roberts said he “could have been killed”.

“These kids could have killed him … they’re old enough to know better,” he said.

Since the assault, Tyler has been anti-social and unable to engage properly in his school work.

"His schoolwork has gone backwards, he stays in his room constantly, more so than he used to, and he doesn't want to go to the gym with his friends anymore," Dale said.

"We're trying to coach him through it but it's hard when these kids show up at his football games which just brings it all up again."

For the past three months, Dale has been hoping the police would charge the kids responsible for the attack, but he's been disappointed with their "lack of action" and fears this is the reason Tyler has been recluse.

"He's worried about playing football against Wonthaggi, because the boys are in that team, but he shouldn't be," Dale said.

"I want Tyler to feel safe to go somewhere when he wants. A conclusion would help us all."

It comes after a video also emerged of a violent brawl between teenage girls on the same night.

It is not clear if the fights are related.

No charges have been laid into either assault but investigations are ongoing.

Senior Sergeant Adrian Condron said the investigating officers are relying on witness cooperation in order to charge the offenders, but they have been met with "resistance".

"Unless we've got sufficient evidence through witnesses and confessions we can't put anyone before the court," he said.