Arabic version: رفض الإفراج بكفالة عن متهم بالاعتداء في كانبيرا

According to ABC News, an 18-year-old man accused of assaulting two young boys at Canberra’s Westfield Belconnen shopping centre has been refused bail and remanded in custody.

Police allege the man approached a mother and her two sons, aged two and four, from behind and kicked the children on Friday. One boy suffered a broken nose, while the other was assessed for head injuries. The man was arrested on Sunday and charged with assault.

In the ACT Magistrates Court, prosecutor Marcus Dyason argued the accused had a fixation on young children and targeted people unable to protect themselves. Chief Magistrate Louise Taylor described the alleged conduct as “dangerous, impulsive and frightening” and said he posed a risk to vulnerable community members. She ordered that his name not be published.

The man’s lawyer said he had significant mental impairments and argued that his NDIS supports would be suspended if he remained in custody. The lawyer said inquiries were being made about increasing his one-to-one supervision to 24 hours a day. Magistrate Taylor said the jail had a duty of care to provide required supports.

Two Triple Zero calls were made during the incident, but police did not attend. ACT Policing apologised to the family and said its response did not meet its own or the community’s expectations. The case is expected to return to court next month.