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Five teenagers have been charged after an assault in Melbourne’s west that left a good Samaritan in a critical condition.
Victoria Police said three boys, aged 12, 13 and 15, and two girls, both aged 14, had allegedly tried to steal items from a shop on Hampshire Road in Sunshine just after 2pm.
A 60-year-old man, who was working nearby, came to the aid of a shop worker, who was in a scuffle in the street over the goods.
It’s alleged the man, who remains in a critical condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital, was set-upon by the teens.
The teens, from the Brimbank and Banyule area, who cannot be named, have been charged with affray, violent disorder, intentionally causing serious injury and intentionally causing injury.
Four teens were arrested yesterday near the incident by protective service officers and members of the transit safety division, while the 12-year-old boy was arrested at his home address on Saturday night.
They are expected to appear before court this afternoon.
The incident comes just days after Victoria’s new premier, Ben Carroll, pledged a crackdown on anyone that abuses, intimidates or assaults retail, fast-food and transport workers in their workplace.
The new laws, which were introduced in July, mean culprits could face a ban from those workplaces for 12 months. Anyone who breaches the bans could face up to two years prison or a fine of up to $50,000.
On Sunday morning, speaking at the opening of the Ambulatory Care Centre at the Northern Hospital before charges had been laid, Carroll said the teens should face adult time if convicted.
“This was terrible what occurred to this gentleman in a retail shop,” he said.
“That’s why there is no tolerance for this sort of behaviour, it’s awful, and lifetime consequences for them, but also the offenders. It’s going to have lifetime consequences for you, because your life will be changed when you face jail time, and you’ve got to think and make sure you do not do this sort of behaviour. It is simply unacceptable.”
Carroll said his first priority as premier was the Big Build royal commission, his second was community safety.
He said he was committed to ensuring community safety was “fundamental to everything we do”.
“We are working very hard. I met with the chief commissioner last week, and I’ve told him he’ll have every resource he needs to help us tackle violent crime,” the premier said.
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Nicole Precel is an education reporter at The Age. She was previously an audio video producer. She is also a documentary maker. Get in touch at nicole.precel@theage.com.auConnect via X, Facebook or email.From our partners
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