Teen thug involved in high-profile alleged murder flaunts machete in shocking photo

A teen thug who bragged about his release from youth detention after helping a mate allegedly murder someone has been snapped flaunting a machete in a shocking new photo.

A teen thug who bragged about his release from youth detention after helping a mate allegedly murder someone has been snapped flaunting a machete.

In the shocking photo, the teenager – who was involved in a high-profile alleged murder – can be seen looking into the camera as he holds the large knife in one hand and holds up four fingers with the other.

The hand gesture is commonly used by rappers and can signify loyalty to a particular group.

The teen is wearing a Dior bum bag and a Gucci belt, jeans, a jumper and sneakers, and posing next to a mate covering his face with his puffer jacket.

The teen criminal pleaded guilty to assisting a murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, common assault and theft of motor vehicle before being freed in March after less than 18 months locked up.

A teen allegedly involved in a high profile murder has bragged about owning weapons on social media. Picture: Supplied

In footage he posted to social media with the rap song Talk of the Town, the teenager can be seen being escorted out of a youth detention centre by staff members.

The Herald Sun cannot reveal any further details about the alleged murder because the teenager is underage and his alleged co-accused, who was also underage at the time of the murder, is still before the courts.

Their names and identities have been suppressed due to their age.

Victoria Police said investigators had not laid further charges against the teen for posing up with the weapon after his release, but could not comment further because the case was ongoing.

“Any information received by police is carefully assessed to determine if any offences have occurred or if there is any further investigation required,” the spokeswoman said.

The photo, which was posted to Instagram by a mate, included the caption #FREEOT which appears to refer to another friend who has been locked up.

One former victim of the teen, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he clearly hadn’t learnt his lesson.

“The public should be scared that he appears to have fallen back into the same spot in society,” she said.

“He’s flaunted being released, now he’s posing holding a machete.

“He hasn’t learnt anything.”

The teen and his alleged co-accused are still before the courts. Picture: Supplied

Les Twentyman Foundation general programs manager Chris Lacey said the statewide ban on machetes, to be introduced in September, should ban all edged weapons.

“The machete ban is a positive step, it is something that Les Twentyman campaigned on for decades, and whilst we would have liked to have seen the ban go further to include all dangerous edged blades, the less weapons we have on the streets the better,” Mr Lacey said.

Mr Lacey said known young criminals posing with their dangerous weapons on social media showed that detention had failed to deter their criminal activity.

“It’s all about that Hollywood action swagger – to show how tough you are – when in reality it is a sign of how much help that kids like these needs,” he said.

“What is needed is intensive one-on-one support by a youth worker, who can help identify where this behaviour is coming from and put supports in place that leads them to make the decision to get away from the negative social peers and to put the weapon down.”