Fresh assault charges for boy, 17, accused of kicking policeman

A 17-year-old boy who walked free after kicking a police officer in the head has been charged again for a violent assault.

Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville and Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane.

A 17-year-old boy who walked free after kicking a Melbourne police officer in the head has been charged again over a violent assault.

It is alleged a group of people, including the boy, attacked a 19- year-old man at a sports facility in Tarneit, in Melbourne’s west, on Thursday. The man is in a stable condition with injuries to his head and face.

The Herald Sun reports the 17- year-old and a 15-year-old boy have been charged with affray, intentionally causing injury and assault by kicking.

On Boxing Day last year, the 17-year-old kicked a police officer in the head while the officer was arresting another boy, at Highpoint Shopping Centre.

The teen was arrested three days later and granted bail, but breached his bail less than 24 hours later. He was given nine months’ probation without a conviction recorded in February.

The 17-year-old faced the Children’s Court again in March over what is believed to be an armed robbery charge. That case was adjourned to December so as not to disturb his VCE studies.

The boy's latest arrest comes as Victoria Police defended their African-Australian Community Taskforce after a 12-year-old girl was attacked in her home during a burglary in Melbourne’s west.

The assault on a child follows a spate of out-of-control parties linked to youths of African ­appearance in the city over the past three weeks. The taskforce was set up last summer after a series of similar wild gatherings, muggings and home invasions.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Leane told The Australian the taskforce had been “working hard” designing a plan to help tackle crime.

“The plan will give the community more direct partici­pation, especially at the local level, to influence Victoria Police’s understanding of needs and ­issues of concern,” he said.

“The taskforce has a series of activities planned to raise community awareness of key subjects such as family violence, child protection, and substance and alcohol abuse.”

Police said a man “perceived to be of African appearance” broke into a Footscray house on Monday after 9pm and was disturbed by the child.

He assaulted the girl and then escaped on a stolen scooter. No arrests have been made.

Victoria Police released details yesterday of Taskforce Wayward, a pilot program that has seen 64 young offenders in Melbourne’s west put under special police watch.

Police say there have been no home invasions since March in Taskforce Wayward areas. Monday night’s offence was not classed as a home invasion.

“In the past, detectives would simply investigate and arrest. They are now proactively engaged with high-risk youth,” Mr Leane said.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton was not available for comment yesterday. In response to an angry caller to ABC radio last Thursday, he said Victoria was safer than “it has ever been”.