Three teenage boys who attend one of Sydney’s most prominent private schools have been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The boys — one aged 13 and two aged 14 — were arrested on Thursday, August 13, following an investigation by officers attached to the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command.
Police allege the 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by three teenage boys in an alleyway in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on the evening of Wednesday, July 22.
The three accused are students at The Scots College, a private boys’ school in Sydney.
WHAT POLICE ALLEGE
NSW Police said an investigation began in July after officers received reports that a teenage girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted.
Following what police described as extensive inquiries, officers executed search warrants at several homes in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at about 7.30am on Thursday.
The three boys were subsequently arrested and taken to Surry Hills Police Station.
Police have not publicly identified any of the teenagers because of their ages.
THE CHARGES
According to NSW Police, the 13-year-old boy and one of the 14-year-old boys were each charged with aggravated sexual assault in company with others and two counts of aggravated sexual touching.
The second 14-year-old boy was charged with aggravated sexual assault in company with others and one count of aggravated sexual touching.
These are allegations only. None of the charges have been proven in court and the accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence.
All three boys were granted strict conditional bail.
They are scheduled to appear before a children’s court on Tuesday, August 25.
ITEMS SEIZED DURING SEARCHES
Police said several electronic devices were seized during the search warrants and will undergo forensic examination.
Officers also seized two replica firearms, a Glock-style BB gun, three laser pointers and a number plate believed by police to have been stolen.
Police said those items would also be examined as part of their inquiries.
Authorities have not alleged publicly that the seized weapons or other items were involved in the alleged sexual assault.
THE SCOTS COLLEGE RESPONDS
Media outlets have identified the three accused as students of The Scots College.
The school confirmed it was aware that three students were under police investigation in connection with an alleged incident that occurred outside school hours.
The college said it takes the matter seriously and has cooperated — and will continue to cooperate — with NSW Police.
It also said the police investigation should be allowed to take its course and that it would not be appropriate for the school to comment further while proceedings are underway.
The alleged incident was not reported as having occurred on school grounds.
WHY THE CASE IS ATTRACTING ATTENTION
The extremely young ages of everyone involved have made the allegations particularly confronting.
The alleged victim is 14, while the three boys charged are aged just 13 and 14.
The case also involves allegations of aggravated sexual assault in company, an offence police have charged when an alleged sexual assault involves additional aggravating circumstances, including the alleged involvement of multiple offenders.
Because the accused are children, their cases will proceed through the children’s court system and significant restrictions apply to the publication of information capable of identifying young people involved in criminal proceedings.
For that reason, responsible reporting must avoid identifying the boys or publishing information that could identify the alleged victim.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The immediate next step will be the boys’ scheduled appearance before a children’s court on August 25.
Police forensic examination of the electronic devices and other property seized during the search warrants may also form part of the continuing investigation.
At this stage, police allegations remain allegations.
The court will ultimately determine what evidence can be admitted, whether the prosecution case can be established and what outcome follows.
The seriousness of the allegations makes it especially important that public discussion does not become a substitute for the legal process.
The identity and privacy of the 14-year-old girl must also be protected.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Three boys aged 13 and 14 from The Scots College have been charged after police allege a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in an eastern Sydney alleyway on July 22.
Search warrants were carried out on August 13 and electronic devices and several other items were seized.
All three boys have been granted strict conditional bail and are expected to appear before a children’s court on August 25.
The Scots College says it is cooperating with police.
The allegations remain before the courts and have not been proven.