Two Schoolboys Accused of Raping 17-Year-Old Face Suspension

Two of the three teenage boys accused over the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl are set to be suspended from their school.

St Gregory’s College principal Matthew Brennan confirmed the move in a letter sent to parents on Friday.

‘We have a clear responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of all our students and staff,’ the letter stated.

‘Whilst we are unable to share the details, we have already commenced disciplinary action in accordance with our established policy.

‘That policy clearly provides for the suspension of students suspected of criminal behaviour.

‘I want to reassure our community, including families, students and staff, that no student charged with a serious criminal offence, and where such proceedings are ongoing, would be permitted on campus in line with our safety obligations.’

The allegations relate to an incident in Sydney on August 15, when three 17-year-old boys are accused of subjecting a teenage girl to a sexual assault that allegedly lasted several hours.

Two of the accused boys are enrolled at St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown, in Sydney’s south-west, while the third attends nearby Elderslie High School.

Elderslie High School has not yet suspended its student, the Daily Telegraph reported. 

The alleged instigator, a private schoolboy charged with 11 offences, allegedly took the girl to a football game and drinks before taking her to a home when she felt sick.

There, he is accused of raping her before a text message was sent to a friend, a children’s court was told on Friday.

He then invited another boy via text message to join in, with that boy attending to attack the girl, police prosecutor Sergeant Rhonda Riley alleged.

That boy has been charged with six counts of sexual assault in company as well as common assault.

The pair are alleged to have bragged about the attack to another friend, crudely telling him that he needed to have sex with the girl.

He responded to the invitation and arrived at the house and engaged in non-consensual sex with her, the court was told.

The third boy has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company. 

The alleged instigator did not apply for bail when his case was mentioned on Friday, but his two co-accused did.

Children’s Court Judge Jeff Tunks was urged to consider that the teens had strong family supports, schooling commitments and lacked criminal histories.

Jai Rose, representing the second alleged attacker, said his client would abide by any bail conditions imposed.

Mr Rose also pointed to the looming higher school certificate exams, prompting Sgt Riley to remark that the alleged victim would also have to complete her exams ‘going through fear, going through pain’.

The barrister for the third teen meanwhile suggested consent would be an issue at trial as a text after the alleged attack claimed the boy had not received necessary ‘context’ from his co-accused.

Judge Tunks said social and sporting ties and exam delays were of little relevance to the bail assessment.

He described the alleged attack as ‘degrading’ and a ‘humiliating’ ordeal with ‘elements of menace’.

However, he granted bail to the two co-accused, finding the risks posed by the pair could be mitigated with strict conditions.

‘The Bail Act is not used as some sort of de facto punishment for crimes that are not proven beyond reasonable doubt,’ Judge Tunks said.

Both teens were ordered to be of good behaviour, report to police daily and abide by a home detention condition.

They were instructed not to contact each other or witnesses, surrender travel documents and possess only one phone.

The alleged instigator remains in juvenile detention.

He faces the most charges, including six counts of aggravated sexual assault in company and three counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The teens’ cases return to court in October.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028