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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Man denied bail after allegedly kicking young boys at Canberra shopping center

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • An 18-year-old man accused of assaulting two young boys at a Canberra shopping center has been refused bail.
  • The alleged assault occurred at Westfield Belconnen, where the man reportedly kicked the boys, aged two and four, from behind.
  • ACT Policing has apologized to the family for not responding to the incident, stating the response was below expectations and is under review.

An 18-year-old man accused of assaulting two young boys at a Canberra shopping center has been denied bail. The incident allegedly occurred at Westfield Belconnen on Friday, when the man reportedly approached the boys, aged two and four, and their mother from behind before kicking the children.

The policing response to the incident was not in line with ACT Policing's expectations or the community's expectations.

— ACT Policing statementThe police statement acknowledging their inadequate response to the assault.

One of the boys sustained a broken nose, while the other was evaluated for head injuries. Bystanders and center security initially restrained the accused man. However, ACT Policing has since apologized to the family, admitting that their response to the "multiple triple-0 calls" from the scene did not meet expectations and is currently under review.

We want to reassure the ACT community this is not our standard response protocol and ACT Policing is reviewing the policing response to this incident.

— ACT Policing statementThe police statement assuring the community and detailing their review process.

During the bail hearing at the ACT Magistrates Court, the man's lawyer argued for his release, citing potential suspension of his NDIS supports if remanded in custody. However, prosecutor Marcus Dyason opposed bail, highlighting the accused's alleged fixation on young children and arguing that no conditions could adequately mitigate the risk he poses to the community. Chief Magistrate Louise Taylor described the alleged behavior as "dangerous, impulsive and frightening," questioning why the man was in the community unsupervised and stating she could not fathom a decision that allowed him to be alone.

The accused targets those who cannot protect themselves.

— Marcus DyasonProsecutor Marcus Dyason arguing against bail, citing the accused's alleged behavior.

The court ordered that the man's name not be published. His lawyer indicated that inquiries were being made about increasing his supervision to 24 hours a day. The magistrate acknowledged the duty of care the jail had to provide necessary supports while the accused is in custody.

Releasing the accused on bail with a hope, and it is a hope, is of little comfort to the community.

— Marcus DyasonProsecutor Marcus Dyason's argument against releasing the accused on bail.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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