newy.com.au – Three teenage girls have been charged over an alleged assault in which a 14-year-old girl was attacked on an East Maitland bus and dragged off at a stop, where police say the assault continued.
The girl was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Maitland Hospital in a serious but stable condition. Police said the accused girls, aged 13, 15 and 17, each face two assault charges involving actual bodily harm and have been granted conditional bail.
The alleged attack began about 4pm on Wednesday, August 19, while the girl was travelling on the bus. Police allege the three girls were known to her.
When the bus stopped along Victoria Street, the 14-year-old was allegedly dragged off and the assault continued. A bystander intervened to help her, and the three girls ran from the scene, police said.
Officers from Police Transport Command began an investigation after being notified of the incident. A 13-year-old girl was arrested at an East Maitland home on September 4, followed by a 17-year-old girl at a home in Tenambit on September 8. Both were taken to Maitland Police Station.
Police also arrested a 15-year-old girl at a business in Little Pelican and took her to Belmont Police Station. Police did not give a date for that arrest.
The 17-year-old is due to appear in a children’s court on September 17, the 15-year-old on September 21 and the 13-year-old on October 1.
Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Information is handled confidentially, and police have asked people not to make reports through NSW Police social media pages.
