Judge bails accused machete slasher, 14, despite alleged history of violence
“I wish you good luck.”
Police allege that the main attacker was the 14-year-old boy, who slashed Anand over a cigarette and phone in an unprovoked attack.
The young man was charged with crimes such as armed robbery, causing serious injury with intent, affray and using a controlled weapon.
A custody manager told the judge that the boy had difficulty adjusting to new people and changes in custody since his arrest.
The manager said the 14-year-old boy had repeatedly threatened and assaulted staff, hid a gun in his room, skipped classes, spat at staff and claimed to have gang affiliations.
The prosecution opposed bail, saying the boy should be kept behind bars to protect the public.
The 14-year-old’s grandmother told the court her grandson was a good kid and always tried to fit in. He said he thought the grandson was staying at a friend’s house the night of the attack.
Anand and his wounds.
He said he wanted to return to school now.
“Your grandparents, who love you so much and you love them too, have been here every step of the way, and their support for you is what made it possible for me to release you on bail. You owe it to them to do the right thing,” Beale said.
“Adhere to all the bail conditions that I will put in place; if you do that, it will make a huge difference to what happens in juvenile court.”
Victoria is grappling with its highest youth crime rate since the introduction of electronic records, prompting the state government to introduce new legislation to toughen bail laws in March.
At the time, Prime Minister Jacinta Allan promised that reforms would continue. Create the toughest bail test in the country for repeat offenders.
One Age Investigation into knife crime reveals hospitalizations from knife-related attacks It started to rise in 2019as well as an increase in youth crime. Latest statistics show that the number of knives seized this year has reached record levels.
The government has also stepped up legislation banning machetes. Shooting between youth gangs in Northland Mall in May.
After Thursday’s hearing, Anand, who still has no feeling in his wrist or fingers following the attack, said he was shocked by the bail decision and now fears even more for his safety.
“I cannot understand and accept this,” said Anand, who was hospitalized again this week due to complications from his injuries.
“This group of people almost killed me and my life changed forever that night. I will never go back to where I was before this attack.
“The first step to being rehabilitated is for him to show remorse or admit he did something wrong. I don’t see any evidence of that yet.”
It was the teenager’s second bid for bail after being rejected in August due to a high risk assessment and lack of medical evidence supporting his bail application.
At the time, Beale described CCTV footage of the attack on Anand as shocking and said his survival was “purely by luck”.
On Thursday, Beale said the boy’s legal team had evidence from a psychologist and psychiatrist who found he was at risk of being influenced by peers in custody.
