Court hears of 'repercussions' for school boys over alleged sexual assault

Criminal cases involving three Sydney private school students charged over the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl have been adjourned until October, after a Children's Court heard there have already been "repercussions" from being identified. The three boys, two 14-year-olds and a 13-year-old, were charged earlier this month over an incident police allege took place in an eastern suburbs alleyway on July 22. None of the accused can be legally identified due to their ages. Following the charges, The Scots College confirmed in a statement that the three boys under investigation by police over the alleged gang attack were students. One of the 14-year-olds and the 13-year-old face charges of aggravated sexual assault in company, and two counts of aggravated sexually touch another person. The other 14-year-old was charged with one count each of the same offences. 'Some repercussions' As their cases were mentioned in Surry Hills Children's Court for the first time, Judge Susan Duncombe noted the matter had "attracted a lot of media attention" so far. She said there had already been "some repercussions" in relation to a few of the young people being identified. Defence lawyers acting for two of the boys, John Sutton and Kiki Kyriacou, also flagged concern in court about potential identification through media reporting of the case. The cases were adjourned until October 20 and each young person was excused from attending if legally represented. At the time they were charged, NSW Police said they had conducted several searches at homes in Sydney's eastern suburbs. In a statement, they said they had located and seized electronic devices that would undergo forensic examination. At one of the homes, they said officers also seized two replica firearms, a Glock style BB gun, three laser pointers, and a number plate believed to have been stolen. The trio remain on bail. In a statement earlier this month, the college said it had cooperated with police and would continue to do so as required. "We believe it is important that the police investigation is allowed to take its course and it would not be appropriate for the college to comment further on the matter," the school said. [Image text:] THE SCOTS COLLEGE