Three teenagers who charged over the alleged bashing of a 15-year-old boy with autism in Stawell, regional Victoria, have been released on bail less than a day after their arrest on Tuesday afternoon.
A 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds were released on bail after they were charged with affray, robbery, recklessly cause injury and theft. A fourth boy, who was not present at the time, is expected to be interviewed at a later date.
The graphic footage was shared on social media on Monday, October 5, with the victims mum telling news.com.au she was “lucky to have him alive” after two girls allegedly used Snapchat to lure her son to Stawell train station, where he was targeted.
The video showed the three boys taunting the victim as he tried to walk away, before they punched him and shoved him to the ground.
A boy punches him in the head and kicks him in the stomach as the boy with special needs lies helplessly on the ground.
A boy filming the incident then demanded the victim to give him his shoes, to which the confused boy asks “What size shoe are you?” before suffering another blow to his face.
He manages to remove his shoes but when he asks the alleged offenders, “Who are you? I don’t know you”, he gets kicked in the face.
A group of girls watched on as the attack unfolded.
The boy is now recovering at home with soft tissue damage and potential head injuries, too scared to leave home and return to school.
The Stawell community questioned why the teenagers allegedly engaged in such a ruthless attack, and have since rallied around the victim’s family by donating a new pair of sneakers for the boy, as well as a number of gift cards, money and other vouchers.
His story has reached people in the United States who have also shared their well wishes for the boy.
The boy’s mum shared her gratitude for the support they have been receiving.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the community and a big thank you to everyone that has donated to my son,” she said.
“Thank you once again everyone for your love and kindness and support, it means a lot.”
Superintendent Dan Davidson said on Tuesday that detectives are continuing their investigation.
“There is never any excuse for violence in our community, and we will not accept it in any form,” he said.
“Detectives are continuing to investigate the matter and while we are treating it as an isolated incident, additional patrols will take place across Stawell to ensure our community not only is safe but feels safe.”
The three teenagers are due to return to court later this year.
Images: Facebook
