Cairns assault: Three men filmed attacking 14-year-old girl; teen arrested at scene as police pursue Mount Sheridan case
Witnesses describe a brutal attack; one suspect boasted on social media. Police say two men were later charged in a separate Mount Sheridan incident.
Three men are accused of attacking a 14-year-old girl on Foster Road near Mount Sheridan Plaza in Cairns on Monday night, authorities say. The incident unfolded about 9:10 p.m. A witness filmed the scene and described the group stomping on the girl’s head while she lay defenceless, with one man holding her while another stomped. The video was later provided to media outlets. Police arrived as the attack continued; the witnesses said two men remained at the scene while a third drove away. The 14-year-old girl was taken to Cairns Hospital and is understood to be recovering from her injuries. A witness told National Indigenous Times that police later handcuffed the teenager and placed her in the back of a patrol car. The witness described the scene as confronting and noted concerns about violence against Indigenous women in Cairns.
On Wednesday, one of the men allegedly involved in the attack appeared to brag on social media about the incident. Screenshots circulating online show messages in which the man referenced the event and described retaliatory actions. Police confirmed on Wednesday that two men had been arrested and charged over the alleged assault of two girls, aged 14 and 16, in Mount Sheridan on September 22.
The two men are a 21-year-old and a 53-year-old. The 21-year-old was charged with one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company. The 53-year-old was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm. Both are due to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on October 10.
In a statement, police said investigations are ongoing into wilful damage to a window and separately any assault that occurred during the disturbance. A spokesperson added that police take offences against the community seriously and are committed to ensuring those involved are brought before the courts.
Authorities emphasized that the case remains under investigation and asked anyone with information to contact local police or Crime Stoppers.