Three charged over brutal worksite bullying of teen tradie
Three workmates have been charged over the vicious physical and mental torment of a teen colleague on building sites in Ballarat.
Police & Courts
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Charges have been laid over allegations a teenage tradesman was repeatedly brutalised by colleagues on work sites in Ballarat.
Four men were arrested this week and are accused of breaches of the rarely used Brodie’s Law and other offences.
Brodie’s Law was introduced in 2011 and made serious bullying a crime carrying penalties of up to 10 years in jail.
Detectives from Ballarat CIU had been running a major investigation into allegations from as recently as earlier this month.
It has looked into allegations related to incidents at worksites in Alfredton, Brown Hill and Sebastopol which span from September last year to recent weeks.
Some of them are believed to have involved the misuse of nail guns.
There are claims of physical assault and ongoing mental torment by tradies who worked alongside the teen.
The alleged victim was injured in some of the incidents which are at the centre of the inquiry.
A Victoria Police spokesman said investigators had carried out warrants in Alfredton, Bakery Hill, Newington and Sebastopol on Wednesday.
The Herald Sun understands electronic devices and documents were seized and the four men arrested.
They are:
A SEBASTOPOL man, 30, who was charged with stalking, reckless conduct endangering a person, reckless assault causing injury and unlawful assault.
AN ALFREDTON man, 23, charged with stalking, reckless conduct endangering a person, reckless assault causing injury and unlawful assault.
A NEWINGTON man, 25, charged with reckless conduct endangering a person, reckless assault causing injury and unlawful assault.
A SEBASTOPOL man, 36, was released pending further inquiries.
The three men who were charged will appear in Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on April 17.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
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