Boy on bail charged over stabbing of homeless man in Bendigo

A 16-year-old boy faces multiple charges after allegedly participating in the stabbing of a homeless man in Bendigo, Victoria. The teenager was reportedly on bail at the time of the incident.

“

horrifying

Police arrested the boy at Bendigo Railway Station on Saturday night. Authorities allege he was part of a group of up to six youths who attacked a 41-year-old man in Bath Lane on Thursday night. CCTV footage reportedly shows a group of teenagers in balaclavas near the scene, with other security footage capturing the group pursuing and attacking the victim.

The injured man, who was living on the streets, managed to reach the Sporting Globe pub before collapsing. Paramedics treated him at the scene before he was taken to hospital, where he is in a stable condition. The charged teenager faces counts including intentionally causing injury, affray, and assault with a weapon.

“

We've got to talk to police, we've got to talk to the justice system, we've got to talk to the people who are being affected by it and find real solutions that are going to be of long-term benefit.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called the attack "horrifying." Nationals candidate Andrew Lethlean criticized the government's approach to violence, stating that "real solutions" are needed. The chief executive of Council to Homeless Persons, Debora Di Natale, condemned the attack, expressing concern for the safety of other rough sleepers in the city.

“

This is a real tragedy for all people now who are sleeping rough who will be reading about this and will be worried about their own safety.