Spinal fractures, braces dislodged in alleged assaults on two 13-year-old girls

It is alleged several people were assaulted in the Tuggeranong Town Centre on Saturday. Photo: Nick D, Wikimedia Commons.

Two young teenagers are accused of assaulting 13-year-old girls in southern Canberra, dislodging the braces of one and leaving another with spinal fractures.

ACT Policing said the pair, who are both under the age of 18, have been arrested and charged with assault.

First, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted by the two teens as she got off a bus in Erindale at around 1:35 pm on Friday (31 May).

Police said she suffered “significant injuries”, including having her braces dislodged.

Then at about 3:20 pm on Saturday (1 June), police responded to reports of several more incidents in the Tuggeranong Town Centre allegedly involving the same two teenage girls as well as other juveniles.

It is alleged an elderly man and staff were assaulted at Big W, and then another 13-year-old girl was assaulted at the Tuggeranong bus interchange.

This girl also suffered significant injuries, police said, including spinal fractures.

The two teens were arrested nearby a short time later before facing the ACT Children’s Court on Monday (3 June).

A police spokesperson said officers had already spoken to several witnesses to the alleged incidents, but wanted to speak to anyone who witnessed these incidents who have not yet spoken to them.

“There may also have been other incidents involving this group around the same time – if you were the victim of one of these incidents, we would encourage you to make a report to police,” the spokesperson said.

If you have information that could assist police, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Quote reference 7762753.