The father of one of several teenagers arrested after allegedly terrorising a schoolboy with a machete in a Melbourne fast-food restaurant toilet fears his son will “face no real consequences”.
Four teenage boys were arrested after terrifying footage emerged of a 15-year-old being threatened with a machete in the toilet of a McDonald’s on Doherty’s Road, Truganina about 4pm on Monday.
Footage shows two students in school uniforms allegedly intimidating and threatening a third boy, while other boys filmed the incident.
When the alleged victim tried to exit the bathroom, one of the boys allegedly brandished a long knife and ordered him to “get down”.
The shocking vision then shows the machete being held to the alleged victim’s throat, at which point one of the teens told him to “get down now or you’re going to f—- die bro”.
The two 15-year-old alleged victims were not physically harmed during the ordeal, according to police.
Two boys, both aged 15, were arrested yesterday.
One of the boys has been charged with a string of offences including aggravated burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, false imprisonment, producing child abuse material and assault with a weapon.
He was bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
The second boy is expected to be charged on summons.
A further two 15-year-old boys from the Wyndham Vale area were arrested today and issued with cautions.
In a statement, the father of one of the alleged perpetrators appealed to those in power to prioritise rehabilitation over jail time.
“My heart breaks for the victims and the trauma this will cause them,” the father wrote.
“I am also deeply heartbroken to see my son act in a way that completely contradicts the values I’ve worked hard to instill in him.”
The man detailed how he has “witnessed firsthand just how weak the system is” following his son’s arrest.
“Even the police have indicated that my son is likely to face no real consequences,” he said.
“Our juvenile justice system has proven to be ineffective — placing my son in juvenile detention here in Victoria will only embolden him to continue this behaviour.
“I appeal to the system and those in power: create effective consequences that truly rehabilitate these boys, and support — not undermine — the parents who are doing their best to hold their children accountable.”
The Department of Education said the incident “does not reflect the safe and supportive culture at the school or the behaviour of the vast majority of students”.
“Despite the event taking place away from the school and outside school hours, any form of violence within our school community is entirely unacceptable,” a spokesperson said.
“When incidents occur, we work closely with the students, their families and appropriate authorities to ensure these matters are properly investigated and appropriate disciplinary actions taken.”
