The father of a teen accused of breaking a fellow student’s jaw at an Ellenbrook shopping centre says he’s “outraged” by his son’s actions.
A court heard today the 15-year-old, who remains on bail, intends to plead guilty over the alleged attack, which left the Aveley Secondary College boy convulsing.
The alleged victim was left suffering seizures on the floor of Ellenbrook Central three weeks ago, after allegedly being coward punched from behind by a student from his school.
The 14-year-old’s jaw was broken in two places with metal plates now permanently keeping it together.
His father and supporters held a silent protest outside the Children’s Court today as the accused appeared for the first time.
“I’ve got to watch my son go through hell,” his father told 9News.
“I’ve had to pray every night that he survives and that he doesn’t want to end his own life over this.”
None of the people involved can be named for legal reasons.
The father of the accused sympathised with the victim’s family and expressed his own shock at the scenario.
“Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to the family, and that’s from the bottom of our heart,” the dad said.
“We’re just as outraged and I promise you that, as the rest of the community – we’re part of that community.”
The accused boy’s lawyer told the court they’re waiting to get a copy of the shopping centre’s security vision but the teenager intends to plead guilty at some stage.
The alleged victim’s family are concerned about a lack of arrangements for the 14-year-old to return to school safely.
The father of the accused told 9News his son would not be back at the same school as the victim.
“He won’t be and I can assure you that,” the dad said.
The teenager will front court again in three weeks.
