Key Takeaways:
- A 16-year-old boy has been denied bail over the murder of 15-year-old Dau Akueng in Melbourne’s west
- The teen was one of eight people who allegedly attacked Dau and 12-year-old Chol Achiek in September
- The court heard that the teen had been threatened in youth detention and had no prior convictions, but had been involved in a robbery and had kept company with people who offended with machetes
- The prosecution argued that community safety was at risk and that the severity of the case meant that bail should be denied
- The judge sided with the prosecution, citing an unacceptable risk to community safety if the teen was released
Introduction to the Case
The case of a 16-year-old boy charged with murder over the street killing of 15-year-old Dau Akueng in Melbourne’s west has taken a significant turn, with the teen being denied bail. The boy, known as JT, was one of eight people who allegedly attacked Dau and 12-year-old Chol Achiek in September, resulting in Dau’s death. The court heard that JT was armed with a weapon when he encountered Dau, but it was unclear from CCTV vision what his role in the attack was.
The Alleged Attack
The court was told that police believe JT and another accused arrived at the scene shortly after the attack started, with three of the co-accused allegedly attacking Dau first. The events leading up to the alleged attack were also detailed in court, with the group of eight allegedly confronting a young person on the street and making demands, causing him to run away. The group then allegedly went to a fast food restaurant, where two of the co-accused confronted people inside, demanding to know if they were in a gang. After the alleged murders, the group allegedly fled together in a stolen car to an address in Sydenham, in Melbourne’s north-west.
The Accused’s Background
The court heard that JT had no prior convictions, but had received a caution over a robbery which he allegedly took part in. His mother had also called police in February after he became angry and punched a hole in the wall when she tried to confiscate his phone. The Crown barrister told the court that while there were no prior offences, JT had been keeping company with people who were offending with machetes since September 2024. The court also heard that JT had taken photographs with weapons and used gang signs.
Threats in Youth Custody
In support of the bail application, JT’s barrister told the court that the 16-year-old had been threatened in youth custody, where he has been in detention since September, over some canteen money. The threat also extended to his family, with his mother moving to Queensland in the past few weeks as a result. The barrister argued that a move to Queensland would get JT away from gang activity and that he would have good family support. However, the prosecution urged the court to prioritize community safety, arguing that the severity of the case meant that bail should be denied.
The Court’s Decision
The judge ultimately sided with the prosecution, citing an unacceptable risk to community safety if JT was released. The judge noted that the evidence showed JT was willing to engage in gang activity while armed with a weapon, and that the risk of him reoffending was too great. JT’s grandmother had posted a surety of $100,000, which she told the court was money from an inheritance and was the entirety of her life savings. However, this was not enough to convince the judge to grant bail, and JT will remain in detention until his trial, which is not expected to take place until 2027.
Conclusion
The case highlights the complexities and challenges of dealing with youth crime, particularly when it involves gang activity and violence. The court’s decision to deny bail reflects the need to prioritize community safety, while also acknowledging the need to support and rehabilitate young offenders. The case will continue to be closely watched as it progresses through the court system, with many questions still unanswered about the events leading up to the alleged attack and the role of each of the accused.