Pressure mounts on state government to be tougher on youth crime

Pressure continues to mount on the government to abort changes to the youth justice system following a spate of recent alleged incidents.

Natalie Gordon (Ash Gordon's sister), her partner Hayden Cook, and housemate Tristen Standing speak about the murder of Ash Gordon at his Doncaster home. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Calls for tougher youth bail laws have reached fever pitch as pressure mounts on the government to abort planned changes to the youth justice system.

Families impacted by severe crimes at the alleged hands of youths continue to demand a tougher stance on minors who commit “adult level crimes”, particularly when granting bail.

It comes as the Herald Sun revealed one of the two teens charged over the alleged murder of Doncaster doctor Ash Gordon was on bail at the time.

Dr Ash Gordon with his sister Natalie, mother Catherine and father Glen.(Supplied: Gordon family)

Last year the government committed to raising the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12 by the end of 2024 and plan to extend it to 14 by 2027 with the exception of severe crimes, aiming at protecting at risk youth and reducing re-offending.

But Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said this overhaul to the system needed to be scrapped, demanding the government “draw a line” after Dr Gordon’s death.

“We need to see a situation where community safety is put first,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The government says it is, but clearly it isn’t.

“We keep seeing repeat offenders getting bail time and time and time again, committing further crimes, and often worse crimes.

“It’s time for the government to admit they’ve got it wrong when it comes to bail.

“At the moment, if you commit an indictable offence while you’re on bail, you automatically face a tougher test to get bail again.

“Labor is going to scrap that.

“That makes no sense and it puts the community at risk.”

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the government “won’t be rushed” into any decisions and was “considering these matters widely”.

Last year hundreds of protesters rallied in Melbourne’s west and presented a petition to parliament after 16-year-old cricket prodigy Rhyan Singh was allegedly stabbed and robbed by a gang of youths at a Tarneit park.

Hundreds of people gathered at a rally to support Tarneit teenager Rhyan Singh to call for tougher youth crime laws Picture: David Crosling

.L to R father- Rajiv Singh, Rhyan Singh and mother Sushma Manandhar.Picture: David Crosling

Rhyan lost consciousness and awoke to “blood everywhere” with his little finger hanging off after he was allegedly beaten, stabbed and robbed when he and his friends were confronted while playing basketball.

Two 16 year olds were charged and a 20-year-old man was also arrested.

Rhyan’s father, Rajiv, told the Herald Sun the family felt helpless, with their cries falling on deaf government ears despite significant community support.

“The amount of suffering that the families go through…who’s going to pay for that?” Mr Singh said.

“We need the government to look on this because it can happen to anyone like it did to us in July and now it’s happening to so many families and the government is keeping quiet knowing the fact that is wrong.

“My son isn’t allowed to go anywhere. Look at his life, look at what’s happened to his childhood. Things can never go back to normal for us.”

Mr Singh said his son attends hand therapy fortnightly and required more surgery, shattering any hopes of a return to senior cricket any time soon.

On Saturday police charged five people with more than 140 alleged offences from Melbourne’s west last year.

Three 18-year-olds were charged with about 30 alleged offences each, while two teens aged 16 and 17 were charged with about 45 alleged offences including aggravated home invasion.