Three students from Sydney's Scots College, aged 13 and 14, appeared in children's court on Tuesday facing charges related to an alleged rape and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. A judge warned of the severe consequences the accused have already faced and the repercussions ahead.
Two of the three Year 8 students attended Sydney's Surry Hills Children's Court with their parents. The youngest, a 13-year-old, was accompanied by his father and two adult women. He faces charges of aggravated sexual assault in company and two counts of aggravated sexually touching another person. The second 14-year-old co-accused, who also faces the same charges, arrived with his mother in a hired Mercedes SUV. The third 14-year-old accused did not appear in court.
Police have implemented Apprehended Violence Orders to protect the alleged victim, prohibiting the accused from going within 200 meters of her home. Strict bail conditions also forbid the boys from being in each other's company outside of school hours. They must remain indoors between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent, and are prohibited from using social media platforms. Additionally, all three are banned from entering the suburb of Bondi Junction.
One of the accused's lawyers, Kent Park, stated that it was not appropriate to comment on the case. Another lawyer, John Sutton, informed the court that the 13-year-old client's name had already been disclosed in social media comment sections.
Judge Sue Duncombe adjourned the case until October 20, continuing the boys' bail. She issued a stern warning to the media regarding the suppression of the accused boys' identities, noting that "there has already been some activity leading to repercussions on those young people."
Two replica firearms and a Glock-style BB gun were seized from one of the accused boys' homes during their arrests. The case represents a significant scandal for the 133-year-old Scots College, which has reportedly engaged a public relations firm to manage the fallout. The families of two of the boys have retained a law firm specializing in high-stakes matters.