Police have charged seven youths, including an 11 year old, over an assault on an off-duty police officer and his girlfriend on the Gold Coast last weekend.
An 11-year-old boy from Tweed Heads was charged with robbery with violence and assault occasioning bodily harm over the assault of the 27-year-old officer and his 26-year-old girlfriend who were walking on East Dutton Street at Coolangatta about 12.45am (AEST) on Saturday when they were kicked and punched by about 20 youths.
He is due to appear in Southport Children's Court tomorrow.
A 16-year-old Banora Point teenager will appear tomorrow in Southport Childrens Court after being charged with robbery with violence while in company, assault occasioning bodily harm, and affray.
Five other youths aged 15 to 17 from NSW have also been arrested and will appear before a magisatrate tomorrow, when police are expected to make an extradition application.
Police said the unarmed officer was allegedly beaten to the ground before having his head stomped on and his wallet stolen.
His girlfriend was also hurt.
The attackers were captured on security video congratulating each other as they walked away after the incident, police said.
The couple were treated for injuries including concussion, factures, cuts, and bruising.
Premier Anna Bligh said the report was disturbing and questioned why parents would allow such young children to be roaming the streets late at night.
"To find that many of those people involved in that incident are as young as 11 and 12 is doubly distressing,'' Ms Bligh told reporters today.
"If it is established that children as young as 11 and 12 have been involved in an incident like this, then I think it begs some very big questions about the families that have responsibility for these children.
"Why were they on the street at this time of night and why were they roving around in gangs?
"I think that as a community, we need to ask those tough questions and take tough action.''
AAP
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment