Two Illawarra teenagers accused of bashing a Syrian refugee in Wollongong last month have fronted court.
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Police claim Scott Ratcliff, from Primbee, and Christopher Mark Elbourne, from Dapto, were part of a group of four teenagers who set upon the 21-year-old near the Wollongong Youth Centre on the evening of June 4 in what they will allege was a racially motivated attack against the Syrian national, who had only just arrived in Australia.
It is alleged the man was leaving the youth centre with friends when he was approached by the group, who began making racist comments towards him.
Police claim Ratcliff, Elbourne and another teen repeatedly punched and kicked the refugee, leaving him with facial injuries including a broken nose.
The pair were arrested three weeks later and charged with affray.
Both men made their first appearance in court on Tuesday, where their bail was continued until their next court dates.
Ratcliff had his case adjourned for three weeks to allow him to get legal advice. However, Elbourne, through his Legal Aid lawyer, entered a not guilty plea and asked to have the matter set down for hearing.
Police will now be required to compile the evidence against Elbourne into a prosecution brief and serve it on Legal Aid by July 28.
His case will return to court on August 11.
Meantime, another alleged accomplice, an 18-year-old woman, will front court on July 14 on two counts of common assault and an affray charge.
A 16-year-old boy also charged over the incident will be dealt with in the NSW Children’s Court.