Teen boy accused of brutal Albion Park scooter bashing fronts court alone

The teen’s girlfriend was there in support when he appeared briefly before a magistrate at Campbelltown on Monday, accused of landing a life-threatening blow to the head of a boy his own age in an Albion Park laneway on Saturday. 

But there were no family or friends waiting at a subsequent court appearance at Port Kembla Children’s Court, Tuesday. 

The teen did not apply for bail, and this was formally refused. 

Four members of the injured teen’s family came to witness the appearance but a complication with the court’s AV equipment reduced the system to audio-only, denying the men the chance to eyeball the accused boy on-screen. 

The court heard the accused teenager, who cannot be named under Children (Criminal Proceedings) Act, had no fixed place of abode, though court documents link him to a Lake Illawarra address.

The court heard the teen had “serious alcohol and drug issues”. 

He was due to be sentenced for unrelated offences on Tuesday – drug offences, entering prescribed premises without lawful excuse, and common assault - however all matters have been adjourned to a date next month.

The matter is ultimately to be referred to the DPP. 

The injured teen remained at Wollongong Hospital on Tuesday in a critical but stable condition. 

He was placed in an induced coma in the wake of the attack and according to police, his prognosis is “not positive”. 

The injured boy’s family has asked for privacy.