Eleven people, including six minors, have been charged after an intellectually disabled 17-year-old boy was tied to a tree and brutally beaten in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia. The teenager's mother is among those accused, with a court hearing she allegedly encouraged the attack.
The 17-year-old, who has not been named, was found with serious injuries by joggers in bushland on July 18. Police prosecutor Lescha Lawson said during a bail application on August 11 that the attack began after the mother made "false allegations against the child" that he was a paedophile.
Details of the assault
The court heard the teenager was first assaulted at another location before escaping by crawling away. He was attacked again in the street with a horse whip and metal rods before one of those charged allegedly invited more people to the scene. The teenager was then wrapped in plastic, zip-tied, and placed in the boot of a car before being dumped in bushland.
Lawson told the court that the mother was one of the participants and had "encouraged" others to assault her child. She was said to have watched as her son was beaten and said he "deserved it".
Injuries and charges
The victim has since undergone two separate surgeries for injuries including a broken nose, spinal fracture, tibia fracture, two lacerations to the scalp, and significant bruising. Three people were initially charged, with Queensland Police later confirming a further eight had been charged.
During the bail hearing, defence lawyer Mikaila Ward said there was "no forensic evidence linking my client to the offence". Magistrate Steven Mosch described the alleged incident as "incomprehensible". "It is reprehensible that the biological mother of the defendant was said to be present — if not actively engaged and encouraging others to do so," he said.
Legal proceedings
Police documents also alleged methamphetamine had been smoked at the residence before the assault. The mother was refused bail, and her case was adjourned until September. Among those charged is a 13-year-old boy, who faces four offences including deprivation of liberty, assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed/in company, grievous bodily harm, and torture. A 14-year-old girl has also been charged with four offences, including grievous bodily harm, torture, and deprivation of liberty, and was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
The other accused include a 35-year-old woman, a 40-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man, and three 15-year-old boys, each charged with multiple offences. Townsville Child Abuse and Sexual Crime Unit Officer in Charge Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said only some of those allegedly involved were known to the teenager.
