Four youths have been charged over the alleged assault on a gay man last week in Doubleview’s Bennett Park. Police have revealed that alongside the assault report by OUTinPerth there were two other incidents allegedly involving the group.
Detectives have charged four youths as a result of their investigation into the three robbery incidents in Scarborough that occurred on Friday 20 July and Saturday 21 July 2018.
It is alleged the youths arranged to meet the male victims online. When the victim arrived at an agreed location, the youths robbed the person, taking personal items and on one occasion, a victim was also assaulted.
The victim of the assault told OUTinPerth that on the evening of Friday 20th July he began chatting with a another profile on the app Grindr, after a conversation they agreed to meet up. The man arrived at the agreed location and was lured to nearby Bennett Park in Doubleview.
In the park he was met by a group of people who allegedly assaulted him, leaving him with a black eye, bruises and potential facial bone fractures. The group allegedly shouted gay slurs calling him “a fag” and accused him of being “a pedo”. The alleged assault occurred between 10:30pm and 11:00pm on Friday night.
A 15 year old girl from Karrinyup and a 16 year old boy from Doubleview have both been charged with Aggravated Robbery. A 17 year old boy from Doubleview and a 16 year old boy from Woodlands have both been charged with Aggravated Robbery; and Aggravated Assault with Intent to Rob.
The four youths are due to appear before the Perth Children’s Court on 21 August 2018.
Inquiries are ongoing and detectives urge anyone with any information relating to these incidents to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au Callers may remain anonymous if they wish.
The incidents are the second time in 18 months that gay men have been targeted via the dating app. In December last year 20 year-old James Joseph Katchan was sentenced to six years in jail for his role in the five attacks, while 19 year-old Cody Parkinson was sentenced to two years imprisonment for his role in one of the assaults.
Graeme Watson
Photo:- Tiffany Chow
