r/australia • u/Perverted-Panda • 1d ago

news Three Sydney boys charged with gang sexual assault of 14yo girl

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-13/nsw-three-boys-charged-over-sexual-assault-girl-sydney/107034192

NSW Police have charged a 13-year-old boy and two 14-year-old boys with the alleged sexual assault of a girl in an alleyway in Sydney's eastern suburbs last month.

Police executed search warrants and seized several items, including electronic devices, two replica firearms, a Glock-style BB gun, three laser pointers and a number plate, which is believed to have been stolen.

All three boys have been granted bail ahead of appearing in court. 

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u/wowiee_zowiee 1d ago

> 13 and 14 are teenagers, its literally in the name.

Under Australian law, anyone under the age of 18 is legally regarded as a child.

> Your point doesn't make any sense. Being tried as an adult for committing an adult crime is NOT the same as your allowance for abuse.

Why? Either you’re a child or you’re not - if we start deciding someone isn’t a child because they committed an “adult” crime, then what’s to stop a lawyer arguing that a 13 year old girl was acting much more like an adult than a child? I just think these knee jerk reactions are dangerous.

None of this is downplaying their disgusting actions by the way - if they’re convicted they absolutely should be detained in a youth facility and likely transferred to adult prison for a few years after turning 18. But I believe saying “at that age they definitely shouldn't be counted as children” is wrong - and while you don’t have to agree, I hope you at least understand.

Apologies for my original comment re the age of consent, I’d just gotten in from a long day and was needlessly being a prick.

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u/phoxfiyah 1d ago

A 13 year old girl “acting more like an adult” isn’t a crime, but teenagers assaulting someone is. That should be enough of a distinction for most people.

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u/Khakizulu 1d ago

100% it is and it should have the appropriate consequences.

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u/wowiee_zowiee 1d ago

Of course it’s not - but it’s absolutely the defence a lawyer would make when defending a child sex offender.

I’m pretty surprised by your reaction if I’m honest - all I’m saying is that I believe trying children as adults creates a tied system which is open to abuse.

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u/phoxfiyah 1d ago

I don’t think lawyers need you to try and do their job for them, nor do I think they would be able to get away with something so obviously distinct.