Melbourne crime: Teens bashed by thugs posing as vigilantes at shopping centres

Young thugs posing as vigilantes are brazenly beating teens they accuse of sex assault at Melbourne shopping centres, then bragging about it in shocking videos on social media.

A boy was attacked outside Westfield Fountain Gate on Saturday. Picture: Chris Eastman

Young thugs posing as vigilantes are accusing teenagers of rape, bashing them at Melbourne shopping centres then bragging about the violence on social media.

Shocking videos were posted to an Instagram account showing teens being slapped, kicked and punched in two separate attacks over the weekend.

In one video, a boy was allegedly cornered at a shopping centre with two thugs forcing him to apologise for “raping” a girl.

“What are you f — king sorry for c — t,” they said.

“Say you’re sorry for what you did c — t, say what you’re f — king sorry for.”

“I’m sorry for raping,” the boy replied.

The thugs allegedly slapped the boy six times and threw a liquid at his face.

“Don’t do that shit again, I’ll see you again, leave the shops,” they said.

“Touch another girl and I will hear about you. F — king little b — ch.”

A caption over the footage said: “Rape another one see what happens next time b — ch”.

In another graphic video, a boy was allegedly pushed against a fence, punched in the head and kicked in the body multiple times outside Westfield Fountain Gate.

A boy was allegedly slapped across the face multiple times.

Another boy was allegedly punched and kicked in a separate attack.

The thugs accused the boy of sexual assault and called him a “pedo” (sic) before they held sharp knives to his throat and asked if he “liked babies”.

He was taken to hospital with minor injuries about 3.30pm on Saturday.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said a 14-year-old boy was charged with armed robbery, violent disorder, affray and recklessly causing injury.

A 15-year-old boy and girl were both charged with violent disorder, robbery, affray and recklessly causing injury.

All three youths were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

A mother, who wished not to be named, told the Herald Sun the thugs allegedly boasted about the violence online.

“The group is notorious for hanging at Fountain Gate, Pakenham and Cranbourne shopping centres causing a scene most times they are at these places,” she said.

“The youths happily post the videos to their social media accounts, bragging about what they do by zooming in on the victim’s face and laughing at the bruising and cuts they inflict.”

The woman said she was “terrified” that her seven-year-old child saw the video on social media.

“I am terrified of what my children are witnessing without my knowledge,” she said.

Victoria Police patrolling Westfield Fountain Gate. Picture: Supplied

“It makes me want to home school them so I can assure a positive future with strict boundaries.

“Even my teenager was worried about going out with friends the next day after seeing what the group did.”

The mum said youths were “out of control”.

“It’s sad because these kids have no fear of police involvement or breaking the law,” she said.

It comes after frightened parents banned their teenagers from hanging out at Westfield Southland after a girl’s head was allegedly stomped on by youths last month.

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said retail crime was a major concern.

“Violence, harassment and intimidation have become far too prevalent within retail environments,” he said.

“Whilst we saw this heighten during the pandemic, unfortunately this year the trend continues.

“This behaviour is distressing and unacceptable and is creating extremely high levels of stress and apprehension amongst retail teams and customers.

“We’re now at the tipping point where urgent action is required. Nobody should feel unsafe going to a shopping centre.”

Mr Zahra said the association was working with authorities to reduce its impacts.

“Retailers are doing all they can to address this growing challenge,” he said.

“From increased store presence and security to staff training and continued contact with centre management and authorities.”