Pakenham: Two girls allegedly bashed at Windermere Boulevard park in vicious daylight attack
The mother of a 10-year-old girl allegedly repeatedly punched in the face by two teens at a Pakenham park says her daughter has been left “traumatised” by the shocking incident.
South East
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Two girls have been left shaken after they were allegedly beaten by two older teens in a horrific daylight attack in Pakenham.
A mother of one of the victims, Nikki, last name withheld, told Leader, her daughter Milly, 10, was with her friend Emme, 11, eating hot chips on a playground near Windermere Boulevard when they were allegedly set upon by two teenage girls, believed to be of African appearance, about 11.20am on Saturday, November 14.
The mother alleges the two teens stalked the young girls as they walked through the Cardinia Lakes Coles and attended the chicken shop, before following them to the park where they allegedly attacked them.
She said Milly was allegedly punched in the face twice after refusing to hand her phone over.
It’s alleged one of the teens also stood behind a tree and filmed the terrifying encounter as her friend approached the girls and demanded their phones.
Emme, who was then set upon by one of the thugs, was allegedly thrown to the ground before being punched and having her hair pulled.
Two neighbours then rushed to the aid of the girls after hearing their terrified screams from a distance.
The two teens then fled the scene.
“My husband and I were in complete shock. My daughter called me absolutely hysterical saying she had been attacked, the park is 100m from our house and we just ran there,” she said.
“It’s disgusting that this happened at our local park, my daughter and her friend have been left completely traumatised – she won’t go back to the park unless her dad is with her.”
She said increased safety measures needed to be taken to make the area safe again.
“I’m still trying to comprehend what happened … it’s appalling. This is the second time ever that her dad and I let her play with friends at the park for a half an hour.”
“Enough is enough, our kids should be able to go to the park on a Saturday morning and have some snacks and play without fear of being attacked.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police were investigating the incident.
“Investigators have been told two girls, aged 10 and 11, were in a park near Windermere Boulevard when they were approached by two unknown females about 11.20am,” the spokeswoman said.
“The offenders assaulted the victims and attempted to steal their phones before fleeing empty-handed.
“Both offenders are perceived to be of African appearance and aged in their late teens.”
The investigation is ongoing, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
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