Three 17-year-old boys accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl over several hours have been denied bail and remanded into custody. The judge presiding over the case referenced scandals involving students from Scots College and the Sydney Swans in his remarks.
The alleged assault occurred on August 15 at a home in the Macarthur region. Two of the accused are reportedly students at St Gregory's College, a private school in Gregory Hills.
During a court appearance, Judge Robert Rabbidge criticized the alleged conduct, stating, "We certainly know how the community thinks about the men connected to the Swans football team." He added, "Today, in our beautiful country, we have young men willing to treat a young woman as an object. The community is fed up with this sort of conduct, young men have to show respect to all persons, particularly young women. How would any young Australian woman feel comfortable surrounded by these three young men?"
The trio were arrested and charged with multiple offenses. One youth faces 11 charges, including aggravated sexual assault in company and sexual intercourse without consent. Another is charged with eight offenses, including similar assault charges, common assault, and sexual intercourse without consent. The third boy faces two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company.
Prosecutors allege that one of the teenagers attended a local football game with the girl before they went to a pub underage. According to police, the boy then took her to his home where the alleged assault began. Prosecutors told the court that the victim repeatedly said no and attempted to fight back, but the boys were too strong. It is alleged that one of the accused texted a friend to join them, leading to the second boy's alleged involvement. "The (victim) was treated like an object, she wasn't treated like a person. They were both too strong for her, she gave up fighting," Sergeant Rhonda Riley told the court.
After several hours, the court heard that the two boys allegedly boasted to the third accused and invited him, promising he could also have sex with the girl. Prosecutors stated that the victim was asleep and was woken by one of the co-offenders. The alleged victim told the trio to "f*** off." The third boy then allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with her before an alleged witness entered the room.
Following the alleged incident, the boys reportedly attempted to give the girl money and tried to contact witnesses.
St Gregory's College principal Matthew Brennan issued a letter to parents acknowledging the serious allegations and expressing deep concern for the victim. He stated, "Sexual violence has no place in our community, and the College stands with all victims of sexual violence. It is abhorrent what is alleged by police and is the antithesis of what we stand for and the values that we embrace."
This case follows a separate incident approximately one week prior, in which three teenage boys, students from Scots College, were charged with the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Bondi Junction. Those boys, aged 13 and 14, face charges including aggravated sexual assault in company.