Three 17-year-old schoolboys accused of gang-raping a teenage girl in Sydney's southwest allegedly consumed alcohol while underage at a local pub in the hours before the incident, according to police.
The boys, all 17, are accused of sexually assaulting the 17-year-old girl at a home in the Macarthur region on August 15. Police allege the group attended a pub in the Camden area with the girl before she left with one of the boys and went to a house. It is there that police allege the sexual assault began.
Police further allege that the first accused was later joined by two other teenagers and that the assault was recorded on video. Officers attached to Camden Police Area Command are making inquiries into reports of underage drinking within the Camden area. A police spokesperson stated that the department maintains a zero-tolerance approach to licensees supplying alcohol to juveniles and that Camden police conduct regular compliance operations.
The three boys were arrested on August 19 and subsequently charged with multiple offenses. One youth faces 11 charges, including six counts of aggravated sexual assault in the company of others and three counts of sexual intercourse without consent. Another teenager faces eight charges, including six counts of aggravated sexual assault in company, common assault, and sexual intercourse without consent. The third youth has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company.
All three teenagers remain in custody after their bail was refused. During a court hearing, it was presented that the teenager facing 11 charges attended a local football game with the girl before they proceeded to the pub. The court was informed that this boy then took the girl to his home, where prosecutors alleged sexual intercourse occurred while the victim was saying 'no' and attempting to fight back.
Prosecutors told the court that the youth texted a friend to join in, leading to a second boy allegedly assaulting the girl. Sergeant Rhonda Riley stated in court that the victim was treated like an object and that the boys were too strong for her, causing her to stop fighting.
According to court testimony, after several hours, the pair allegedly contacted the third accused and invited him to the house, promising he could have sex with the girl. Sergeant Riley indicated that the girl was asleep and was awakened by one of the co-offenders, at which point she told the trio to 'f*** off.' The third boy then allegedly had sexual intercourse with the girl without her consent before an alleged witness entered the room.
Following the alleged incident, the boys reportedly attempted to give the girl money and contact witnesses. In court, Judge Robert Rabbidge referenced similar alleged sexual assault cases when remanding the boys into custody. He commented on the community's perception of such conduct and stressed the need for young men to show respect to all persons, particularly young women.
Two of the accused are understood to attend St Gregory’s College in Gregory Hills. The college's principal, Matthew Brennan, informed parents in a letter that he was very sorry to share that two students were due to face court in relation to the matter. Brennan expressed deep concern for the alleged victim and her family, stating that sexual violence has no place in their community and that the alleged actions are abhorrent and contrary to the college's values. He added that the judicial process must be allowed to proceed without commentary.