Three teenagers have been charged following an investigation into what police believe is a racially-motivated assault upon a Syrian refugee in Wollongong on Thursday.
About 7.20pm, a 21-year-old Syrian National was at a community centre on the corner of Burelli and Kenny Street with a group of friends.
They were leaving the centre and were approached by a female who allegedly began to abuse the group with regard to their ethnic background.
Two males, aged 18 and 16, who were with the female, allegedly assaulted the 21-year-old Syrian National, and pushed him into a motorcycle that was parked on Burelli Street, causing it to fall.
The owner of the motorbike, an 18-year-old man, allegedly joined in the assault and punched and kicked the 21-year-old.
The three then ran from the location leaving the young man with serious facial injuries including a broken nose.
He was treated at Wollongong Hospital and later released.
Police attended the scene and commenced an investigation and as a result officers arrested and charged two 18-year-old men and a 16-year-old teen with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The two men will appear in Port Kembla Local Court on 30 June 2015.
The 16-year-old will appear in Port Kembla Children’s Court on 29 June 2015.
