Peace Tautasi: Teen ‘feared for his life’ during alleged gang fight

A magistrate has warned of “gang warfare” in Melbourne’s west after a teen was allegedly beaten to a pulp and thought he was going to die.

A magistrate has warned of the prevalence of “gang warfare” in Melbourne’s west as a teenager who was allegedly beaten to a pulp and thought he was going to die faced court.

Peace Tautasi, 19, appeared in Werribee Magistrates’ Court on February 28 charged with engaging in violent disorder by using unlawful violence with the intent to cause injury.

Prosecutor Sergeant Mark Ridgeway told the court police allege Mr Tautasi, who was 18 at the time, was a member of a youth gang in the Wyndham area which organised to meet with another group for a “violent altercation”.

He told the court the gang had gathered in Werribee on October 31, 2020, but the second group failed to show at the designated time.

“Most of the group left the area, with two or three of them remaining,” he said.

“They were outnumbered when the other group appeared … some stabbings occurred.”

He said Mr Tautasi was “pretty savagely beaten and in fear for his life”.

Despite the significant injuries he allegedly suffered, the young man was charged with engaging in violent disorder by using unlawful violence with the intent to cause injury.

Sergeant Ridgeway said the charge hinged on text messages obtained allegedly planning the fight.

In court, magistrate Mike Wardell said a number of other parties had been dealt with under the Children’s Court jurisdiction and one other adult had recently been sentenced to a community corrections order.

“People go to jail for gang violence,” he said.

“The prevalence of such offending in this catchment means the community expected the courts to take a strong view on this.”

He urged Mr Tautasi, who was unrepresented in court, to seek legal advice so his “best case” could be put forward.

“Even though you ended up significantly injured and thought you were going to die, you have been charged with a very serious offence,” Mr Wardell said.

“Because of the nature of the charge, where there’s been gang violence with serious injuries inflicted, I’m not prepared to entertain the matter today.”

The case was adjourned to a contest mention on May 30 to allow Mr Tautasi to obtain legal representation.