Vic: Schoolboy traumatised after bizarre railway attack

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-1999
Vic: Schoolboy traumatised after bizarre railway attack

By Andra Jackson

MELBOURNE, Dec 17 AAP - A group of youths terrorised a 13-year-old boy in Melbourne
by slashing his clothing and shoes and cutting the school emblem from his shirt, police
said today.

The boy was badly traumatised by what police described as a bizarre attack as he walked
from a Melbourne railway station last night.

His bicycle also was stolen.

Police tonight appealed for anyone involved with the youths or who witnessed the attack
to contact them.

The incident happened at Heatherdale railway station in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs
just before 9 pm.

"So disturbed was the boy following the ordeal that he was initially unable to speak
at length with police about the incident," a police spokeswoman said.

"The boy's back pack and bum bag were also cut from his body after a group of either
two or three men approached him."

Police believe the attack was preceded by a verbal argument between a group of youths
at the bus stop outside the railway station, Sen Const. Willingham said.

The boy, who suffered superficial cuts, was found curled in a foetal position at the station.

He was taken to Maroondah Hospital and later released.

His attackers fled, possibly east along the rail lines, police said.

AAP aj/kr

KEYWORD: KNIFE LEAD

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