Teen with autism beaten and robbed by group of youth in Meadow Heights

Shocking footage has emerged of an autistic boy being viciously attacked by a gang of youths in Meadow Heights, with his distraught parents now calling for justice.

Shocking footage has emerged of an autistic boy being viciously attacked by a gang of youths in Meadow Heights.

The 16-year-old boy, who was set upon by a group of boys nearby ICMG Meadow Heights Mosque on Hudson Circuit while attending Eid celebrations on April 19, has been left “traumatised” by the incident.

The confronting footage shows the boy being repeatedly kicked and punched by his attackers, while laying on the ground.

His parents, who asked not to be named, told the Herald Sun the attack was “premeditated” on social media.

Footage of an autistic boy being attacked in Meadow Heights.

“They planned to attack him in a group chat on social media, it was all premeditated,” the boy’s mother said.

“They punched and kicked him several times. They also bullied him and stole his AirPods and money, there was no way he could’ve defended himself.

“His attackers recorded the incident and posted it to social media, the whole ordeal has been terrifying and traumatic for our son.

“My son was scared of the threats and did not share anything with us, when we saw his face and hands injured he told us he fell off the bike.”

The mother said her family was left angered by the incident and feared for her son’s safety.

“He did nothing to provoke them, he has level two autism and cannot defend himself.

“I have reported the incident to police and I hope the boys responsible are caught.”

The victim’s mother also said that her son was attacked on school grounds at Glenroy College on May 2 by a group of boys known to one of the attackers.

The parents of the boy are calling for public help.

The victim was also attacked at his school.

“We learned about both incidents on May 4, but my son has been confined to the house because of the threats, while the respondents, teenagers and students in the group continued their normal lives and schooling,” she said.

“We hope our family gets justice, my son did not deserve to go through this. He deserves to feel safe within his community.

“We don’t want another family to go through this. If anyone was near the mosque on April 19 and has footage of the assault, we would like them to share it with police.”

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said Hume Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating an assault in Meadows Heights on April 19.

“Police have been told a 16-year-old boy was assaulted by a group of male youths on Hudson Circuit about 9pm,” the spokeswoman said.

“He sustained minor injuries during the incident. It’s believed the parties are known to each other.”

A 16-year-old boy from Glenroy was arrested on May 9 and released pending further inquiries.

Detectives are working to determine who was involved in the incident, which was reported to police several weeks after the assault.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, with vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said while the incident did not occur on school grounds, any incidence of bullying or violence would not be tolerated, with the department and school continuing to support the police in their investigation.

“As the incident is currently under investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” she said.