Alleged gang girl allegedly bashed good Samaritan in Pakenham park
An alleged Next Gen Shooters and Southeast Bitch Killerz gangbanger accused of attacking a former soldier has faced court.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
An alleged gangbanger who is accused of viciously bashing a good Samaritan with an umbrella has been bailed.
Ajah Atem is accused of repeatedly striking former soldier Ben Woolley to the head in a Pakenham reserve earlier this month, leaving him lying unconscious on the ground.
Police said they believed the Pakenham 18-year-old is involved with the Next Gen Shooters and the Southeast Bitch Killerz, and is a risk to the community.
Ms Atem and others were allegedly involved in a group bashing of a girl at the Ron Andrews Park on January 2 this year.
Mr Woolley tried to come to the aid of a victim when the attacking gang, allegedly including Ms Atem, turned on him.
He was allegedly struck to the ground, punched and kicked, and hit by one woman repeatedly with a black umbrella.
Police say the person wielding the umbrella was Ms Atem.
She was later arrested at a train station and remanded in custody.
Mr Woolley suffered cracked ribs, a broken nose, internal bleeding, busted teeth and blurred vision in the assault.
Ms Atem was on bail at the time after being accused of involvement in an alcohol-fuelled fracas in Chelsea in November last year.
During that incident police say she was drunk when she allegedly attacked another woman, kicking her to the head, before allegedly assaulting police as they tried to arrest her.
Ms Atem appeared via video link at the online Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to apply for bail on charges of intentionally causing injury and affray.
Her defence lawyer said she disputed these charges, had no involvement with any gangs, had no priors and her first time in custody had been an “eye-opening experience”.
She said the part-time KFC worker was hoping to get back to her job and was wanting to start studies at TAFE.
She said recently her drinking had been “problematic” but when released she would have support services in place to help her deal with her trauma.
The court heard Ms Atem was a passenger in a serious car accident in March last year.
The vehicle was involved in a police pursuit and smashed into an innocent driver.
Ms Atem received life-threatening chest and abdominal injuries, and was in hospital for eight days.
Magistrate Julie O’Donnell said compelling reasons for her release back into the community had been met, and her risks could be managed with very strict conditions.
Ms Atem was bailed on the proviso she didn’t drink or take drugs, had no association with gang members, obeyed a night-time curfew, lived at a Pakenham address, did not attend Ron Andrews Park and adhered to youth services requirements.
She was ordered to appear in court every two weeks for her case to be monitored.
