Source : the age
Flanked by criminal lawyers and stony-faced parents, the Scots College students who allegedly raped a 14-year-old girl in an eastern suburbs alley attended their first court appearance charged with aggravated sexual assault.
The three boys, aged 13, 14 and 14, arrived at a Sydney children’s court on Tuesday morning after being granted police bail, but were excused from the courtroom.
One stood just above shoulder height to his father. Another was dropped off outside the court in a rental car and trailed his mother as the pair strode up the steps.
The trio, charged last week after allegedly attacking a girl in a Bondi Junction alley on July 22, are so young they don’t yet have facial hair. The alleged victim is just as young.
They and the alleged victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.
The three boys were also issued interim Apprehended Violence Orders protecting the complainant, prohibiting them from going within 200 metres of the girl.
On Tuesday morning, Judge Sue Duncombe warned media about identifying the children. “There has already been some activity leading to repercussions on those young people,” Duncombe said, following reports the boys had been targeted online, with one boy’s home egged.
Representing the 13-year-old, lawyer John Sutton said his client had been named in the comment section of one media article. The two 14-year-olds were represented by Kent Park and Kiki Kyriacou respectively. Two of the boys are represented by prominent defamation and reputation-risk lawyer Rebekah Giles, who sent a cautionary letter to media outlets.
The three were granted police bail Monday a week ago on strict conditions. The trio are not allowed to leave their homes between 6pm and 6am unless in the company of their parents; are not allowed to be in the company of their alleged co-offenders outside school hours; not allowed to enter the suburb of Bondi Junction; not allowed to use social media; and not allowed to contact the complainant.
The 13-year-old’s bail has an additional condition: not to contact anyone the complainant has a domestic relationship with, and not to assault, threaten, stalk, harass, intimidate her, or destroy or damage any property or animal in her possession.
One of the 14-year-old boys has an additional bail condition not to be with or contact any prosecution witness.
The three remain on bail. Their matter will next be in court on October 20, when they are not required to appear.
Police arrested five boys after the Dover Heights home of one of the accused was egged, though four were later released without charge. A 17-year-old boy was charged with breach of bail and custody of a knife in a public place.
Scots College principal Ian Lambert emailed parents on Sunday saying police had made arrests and warning other students against making online threats.
“Police are also aware of concerning online commentary within the wider community and have asked that young people do not post threats, organise action or otherwise involve themselves,” Lambert wrote.
The alleged incident has caused an uproar at the prestigious private school, with parents accusing it of prioritising its public image over consent education. The school denies this allegation.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
