‘Extreme violence’

Teens in court after social media chat about alleged stabbing

SOME of the teens allegedly involved in the stabbing of an unconscious stranger plotted in a social media group chat about taking revenge on anyone who spoke to police, a court has heard.

Nine teens have now been arrested following the horrific attack on a man, 36, at Pyrmont in Sydney on Friday night. One of the boys, 15, appeared before Surry Hills Children’s Court on Wednesday charged with affray and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kai Jiang told the court the “planned and targeted attack” was an example of “mob mentality”, as the group attacked an innocent stranger, who was likely to lose his eye after his face was sliced open as he lay unresponsive on the ground.

“It’s an extreme example of what a group of teenagers are capable of … extreme violence,” he said.

“The community will be outraged to find the level of wanton violence shown by this group of teenagers.”

Sgt Jiang said the boy was one of several co-offenders on a group chat that he said revealed evidence of a “procriminal mentality”.

“They were gloating about the injuries. They were almost proud of the infliction of the violence,” he said.

In refusing bail, Magistrate Jeffrey Hogg said the boys also discussed taking revenge on anyone who went to the police in the social media chat.

“It is a vile, horrific crime,” he said. “The injuries are extraordinarily severe and lifechanging.” Another boy, 16, appeared before Parramatta Children’s Court on Wednesday morning and was granted conditional bail. He faces the same charges of affray and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Eight of the nine teens – aged between 15 and 18 – face the serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.