Man set upon by savage southeast teen after answering Facebook marketplace ad
A man who went with his girlfriend to pick up her new iPhone after finding a deal on Facebook marketplace has been left battered and beaten, with the seller behind the post actually a group of savage teenage thugs.
South East
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A man was brutally bashed by a vicious teen gang after responding to a Facebook marketplace advertisement for a mobile phone, a court has heard.
And two of the young thugs involved in the brazen assault walked from a Children’s Court on Thursday as police continued the hunt for two others.
The court heard the victim was left “shaken” and fearful for his girlfriend’s life after the attack in Melbourne’s southeast, where the brutes laid punches and kicks into his head and stomach after he gave chase when they tried to take off with his cash.
The victim and his partner met up with at least four people, including a 17-year-old male a 16-year-old boy, after responding to a Facebook marketplace advertisement for an iPhone Max on July 15.
But when the pair parked outside the a cafe to meet the seller about 8pm, they were met by a group of teens with one yelling “where’s the money, where’s the money?.”
The 17-year-old boy then allegedly snatched $750 cash from the victim’s hand before the group ran off.
“The victim gave chase and saw two teens trip and fall outside the kebab shop about six doors down,” the prosecution said.
The victim began wrestling the 17-year-old who he managed to place into a headlock before a group of up to three teens, including the 16-year-old, allegedly unleashed the attack until he let go.
A passer-by stopped to help apprehend the 17-year-old and 16-year-old before police arrived, and at least two others sped off in what was alleged to be a stolen car with fake number plates.
The victim was treated by paramedics for swelling and bruising.
The 16-year-old’s lawyer, whose client pleaded guilty to theft and assault in company, told the court the boy unleashed the attack in an “attempt to liberate” his friend from the victim’s grips but that was not an excuse.
His client plans to move to South Australia where he will enrol in a course after dropping out of school in Melbourne.
The 17-year-old, who pleaded guilty to theft, continues an electrical course as part of his VCAL studies.
“You’re a young man but behaving like a violent thug … if you behave like a violent thug in the world, people are going to treat you that way,” Magistrate Tony Burns told the 16-year-old.
“You’ve stretched your (probation) tether about as far as it will go.”
The 17-year-old was bailed to appear on September 11 and must stay at his home between 9pm and 6am unless in the company of a parent.
The 16-year-old was released on probation.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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