Autistic teen attacked after fake Snapchat meet-up in rural Victoria, three youths charged
A 15-year-old autistic boy was lured to a Stawell train station by a bogus Snapchat invitation and violently assaulted by three teenagers, who stole his shoes; police have now charged the offenders.
On October 5, a 15-year-old boy with autism and epilepsy from Ararat was tricked by a Snapchat message from two girls into meeting at a bus stop near Stawell’s train station. Instead of friends, three teenage boys confronted him, repeatedly punching, kicking and forcing him to take off his shoes, which they then stole. The assault, captured on video, left the victim with soft-tissue damage and possible brain bleeding, and he later called his mother from a paramedic’s phone.
His mother expressed shock and fear for her son’s safety. Detectives from the Northern Grampians Crime Investigation Unit obtained four search warrants, arrested a 14-year-old and two 15-year-olds, and charged them with affray, robbery, reckless injury and theft; a fourth boy will be interviewed. Superintendent Dan Davidson said police will maintain heightened patrols in Stawell while the investigation continues, urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Why it matters
The case highlights the dangers of online luring and the vulnerability of disabled youths to violent crime.
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