Three teenage girls have been charged following an assault on a young girl in the state's south on Friday.
Just before 5.30pm (Friday 1 May 2020), a girl entered the parent's room at a shopping centre on the Princes Highway at Figtree – near Wollongong – with another girl known to her.
Once inside, the 14-year-old girl was confronted by two other girls. The three girls are alleged to have prevented the 14-year-old from leaving the room before grabbing her hair, throwing her to the ground and kicking and punching her numerous times.
The girl's mobile phone was allegedly damaged during the incident, before all three girls left the bathroom.
The 14-year-old girl was assisted by shopping centre security before emergency services were called about 7pm.
The girl sustained bruising and soft tissue damage to her body and face and was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Wollongong Hospital.
Officers attached to Wollongong Police District attended and commenced an investigation into the incident.
One of the three girls is believed to have recorded the incident on her phone and uploaded it online.
Following inquiries, about 4pm yesterday (Sunday 3 May 2020), two 15-year-old girls were arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station.
One 15-year-old was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s) and destroy or damage property.
The second 15-year-old was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s), destroy or damage property, and common assault.
About 8.10pm yesterday, a 17-year-old was also arrested and taken to Wollongong Police Station where she was charged with take/detain in company with intent to get advantage occasion actual bodily harm and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other(s).
All three girls were refused bail to appear at a children's court today (Monday 4 May 2020).
The 14-year-old girl has been released from hospital and is recovering from her injuries.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
