WA: 12yo may admit kidnap, torture and kill threats, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
08-15-2007
WA: 12yo may admit kidnap, torture and kill threats, court told

By Liza Kappelle

PERTH, Aug 15 AAP - A 12-year-old boy is likely to plead guilty to kidnapping a 13-year-old
schoolmate, torturing and threatening to kill him with four other young boys, a Perth
court has been told.

The five boys, aged between 12 and 14, allegedly whipped their victim with branches,
punched him and threatened him with an axe over a six-hour period in June this year.

They also are accused of pushing him into a makeshift grave and throwing dirt on him.

Four of the five boys appeared in the Perth Childrens Court today.

Lawyer Curt Hofmann (Hofmann) for one of two 12-year-old boys said he needed more time
to consider the three charges against his client of deprivation of liberty, threatening
to kill and assault causing bodily harm.

"There is a strong likelihood he will plead guilty on the next occasion," Mr Hofmann
told the court.

The boy was remanded to reappear on September 5.

Lawyer Vesna Amidzic (Amidzic) said her client, the 12-year-old alleged ringleader,
pleaded not guilty to four similar charges.

He was ordered to reappear on September 24.

Lawyers for two other boys, aged 13 and 14, entered not guilty pleas on behalf of their
clients to deprivation of liberty, threatening to kill and assault causing bodily harm.

They were ordered to reappear on September 24.

A fifth boy, aged 13, will reappear in the court on September 14.

AAP lk/jt/bwl

KEYWORD: BULLY

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