The Noosa community has been shocked by a disturbing incident at a Tewantin home earlier this month that left a 13-year-old girl in hospital for a week.
Police will allege on Saturday 11 March, a girl was invited into a home where she was subsequently prevented from leaving and filmed while being assaulted, taunted and cut with a knife over the period of several hours.
On 13 March, investigations led police to charge three girls, who legally cannot be named, aged 12, 13, and 14-years-old.
The horrifying footage of the alleged beating was watched by millions online after going viral on TikTok, where social media users started a trending hashtag requesting justice, all the while starting a witch hunt for the alleged attackers.
Videos were shared on TikTok of people claiming to be trashing the home where the incident occurred.
Users commented, “The whole world has your back… We won’t stop until you get your justice.“
Parents seemed to be questioning the safety of their own children as one user said, “It makes me want to check if it’s safe to send my child for sleepovers. I would stay out the front all night after this.“
Police are appealing for people not to share any images or vision relating to this incident out of respect for the victim and to not add to the notoriety of those involved.
The teenage victim and her mother spoke to Channel 9’s A Current Affair.
The 14-year-old was charged with four counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed in company, deprivation of liberty, enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, armed robbery whilst in company used personal violence, enter premises and commit indictable offence and wilful damage. She was remanded in custody and is due to face Maroochydore Childrens Court again next month.
The 13-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed in company, deprivation of liberty, armed robbery whilst in company used personal violence, enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, common assault and unauthorised dealing with shop goods. She is due to re-appear in Maroochydore Childrens Court later this month.
The 12-year-old was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed in company, deprivation of liberty, armed robbery in company with personal violence, enter dwelling and commit indictable offence and unauthorised dealing with shop goods. She is due to re-appear in Maroochydore Childrens Court later this month.
Investigations are ongoing.
