Arabic version: سبعة يمثلون أمام محكمة تاونسفيل بشأن تعذيب مزعوم لمراهق

According to ABC News, a 15-year-old accused of torture will undergo an assessment for an electronic monitoring device before seeking bail, while several co-accused also intend to apply for bail in Townsville.

Seven co-accused appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court after a 17-year-old with an intellectual disability was found in bushland at Pallarenda on July 18. They face a string of charges, including torture.

Police prosecutor Harriet Hearn told the court that relatives of the victim made allegations about him while people were gathered at a house. The group had been socialising before the alleged assault, the prosecutor said. Police allege the victim was kicked and whipped with a horse whip, then later struck with a bat and metal implement and stomped on.

Police further allege the teenager was wrapped in industrial clear plastic, had his legs zip-tied, was placed in a vehicle boot and dumped in bushland near Pallarenda. Ms Hearn said he required surgery for injuries including a broken nose, spinal fracture, fractured tibia, friction burns and lacerations.

The court heard the 15-year-old allegedly committed the offence a day after receiving a court warning for other offending. His lawyer, Sarah Belford, described the case as circumstantial and said he was party to the offences rather than a participant. Police allege his fingerprints were found on the plastic wrap. Magistrate Steven Mosch called the allegations “outrageous” and said the new charges represented an escalation.

The youth’s matter was adjourned to August 13 for a Youth Justice assessment of electronic monitoring suitability. Police will assess proposed addresses for three co-accused seeking bail, whose matters were adjourned to August 10. The cases of another three co-accused were also adjourned to that date.