Image: The alleged hate crimes took place on Castlereagh Street in Haymarket. Photo: Commercial Real Estate.
By TOKS OGUNDARE
Two teenage boys have been charged with assault in what police are treating as hate crimes in Sydney’s CBD.
At about 8:50 pm on Sunday 6 February, a 19-year-old man and two women – aged 20 and 21 – were walking on Castlereagh Street in Haymarket when a black Volkswagen Golf pulled over nearby.
One of the vehicle’s four occupants threatened the young man before a male passenger got out and punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground. A police spokesman said that the alleged attacker believed him to be gay, according to 9 News.
The 20-year-old woman tried to intervene when she allegedly had an egg thrown at her and was hit in the chest.
The injured man was again assaulted by being kicked while on the ground before the vehicle drove away.
Police believe the assaults are linked to a similar incident that occurred that same day.
At 8:30 am on Sunday, a vehicle with four passengers pulled over near the corner of Bourke and McEvoy Streets in Waterloo.
The passengers threatened a 24-year-old man waiting at a bus stop before throwing eggs at him, hitting him in the eye and chest. The man suffered bruising and swelling to his face.
A 26-year-old witness tried to intervene and was also threatened before the vehicle drove away.
The incident was reported to officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command. Police say inquiries are continuing into the attack.
Following investigations, police executed search warrants at two homes in Bankstown and Greenacre, on Thursday 10 February. Police arrested a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy in connection with the incident on Sunday night.
The 17-year-old was charged with affray, assault causing actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault and failure to disclose the identity of a passenger.
The 16-year-old was charged with two counts of affray, assault causing actual bodily harm in company and common assault.
Both teenagers were released on bail ahead of a children’s court hearing on March 3.
