Footage of the alleged assault depicted four girls repeatedly punching another girl to the head

Threats were allegedly sent on Instagram before a teen girl with autism was repeatedly punched and kicked in a vicious beating that was filmed for social media.

A girl, 14, accused of leading a daylight pack attack on her former classmate at Altona Pier told police she wanted to “humble” the alleged victim, whose vicious beating was filmed for social media.

Shocking footage of the alleged assault depicted four girls repeatedly punching another girl, 14, who has autism, to the head before a bystander steps in and urges them to stop, on February 28.

A children’s court heard that the girl accused of throwing the first punch told police the fight was sparked months earlier when she had “issues” with her former schoolmate at a birthday party, which led to a “verbal argument” with the alleged victim’s mother.

Following this argument, she accused the alleged victim’s family members of making “threats” in an Instagram group chat, including that they were “going to get Islanders on us”.

Four girls were seen in the video repeatedly punching another girl at Altona Pier.

Soon after, at Altona Pier at about 4.30pm on that Wednesday afternoon, the girl and her friends were walking past her old schoolmate when one of the accused group asked, “What were you going to do when you see us?”

“That was my sister, that wasn’t even me on the account,” she replied, before she was allegedly punched to the head more than 50 times.

Four teenage girls have since been charged, including the 14-year-old who unsuccessfully applied for her bail to be discharged on Tuesday, and 18-year-old Alajeck Anai, who will face the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next month.

During the failed application to discharge bail, the children’s court heard the girl, 14, was asked by police whether she intended to hurt the alleged victim.

The girl was allegedly punched to the head more than 50 times.

“It was more humble the girl than hurt the girl,” she replied.

Asked how it would “humble” her, the court was told she responded: “Because of the way she was talking about me, I haven’t heard her talk about me since, so that’s OK.”

The alleged assault played out in front of shocked onlookers in the middle of the day, with footage depicting the girl cowering on the pier as she was repeatedly punched, kicked, had her hair pulled and an energy drink thrown on her.

The court was told the girl was taken to hospital with swelling and bruising to her face and eye and had suffered “significant emotional trauma”.

Police asked the accused girl – who is charged with affray, intentionally and recklessly causing injury – how a member of the public would feel watching the alleged attack.

“No clue,” she replied, according to a police summary of alleged facts.

A magistrate on Tuesday refused to discharge the girl’s bail, saying the alleged offences were “serious”.

“I am of the view the victim in this matter … needs protection and I will accordingly refuse the application,” the magistrate said.

His Honour did however amend her bail conditions allowing her to visit Altona beach.

The girl has been ordered not to associate with her co-accused, which include two other 14-year-old girls and Ms Anai, 18.

She will return to a children’s court later this month.